Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine has first and second control circuit boards. The first control circuit board has a unit for determining an internal win every unit game based on a signal from a start signal output device; a unit for starting variable display of symbols on a display device, based on a signal from the start signal output device; a unit for stop-controlling the variable display by the display device, based on the signal from the stop signal output device and the determined internal win; a unit for controlling a first information transfer device, based on information about a game; and a unit for transmitting the information about a game to the second control circuit board. The second control circuit board has a unit for controlling the second information transfer device, based on the information about a game transmitted by the information transmit unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to the prior Japanese Patent Application No.2004-207801, filed on Jul. 14, 2004, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as slot machine,pachinko machine and the like, having a unit for variably displayingidentification information necessary for a game and a controller forcontrolling the variable display, such as micro computer.

2. Description of Related Art

A slot machine such as pachi-slot machine having a stop button has amechanical variable display device having plural rotation reels fordisplaying symbols in a front display window, or an electrical variabledisplay device for displaying symbols arranged on a reel on a screen. Inthe machine having the mechanical variable display device, a controllercontrols the variable display device in accordance with a startoperation of a player to rotate each of the reels, thereby variablydisplaying the symbols. After a predetermined time period, thecontroller stops the rotations of the reels one by one automatically orin accordance with a stop operation of the player. At this time, whenthe symbols of the respective reels displayed in the display window forma specific combination, a game medium such as coin, medal, etc. is paidout.

At present, the machine forming a mainstream has various types of wins.In particular, when a predetermined win is made, a game mode is providedin which a condition is better than a normal state during apredetermined time period, in addition to the payout of the coin onetime. For example, there are a win of “big bonus” (abbreviated to “BB”)allowing a game, in which a relatively large payout is awarded to aplayer, to be carried out for the predetermined number of times, and awin of “regular bonus” (abbreviated to “RB”) allowing a game, in which arelatively small payout is awarded to a player, to be carried out forthe predetermined number of times.

In the machine forming a mainstream, it is required that a win should bedetermined by an internal lottery and a player should carry out a stopoperation at a timing at which a combination of symbols representing thewin determined by the internal lottery (hereinafter, referred to as“internal win”) can be stopped on an activated pay line (hereinafter,referred to as “activated line”) so that the combination of symbols isarranged along the activated line and a coin, medal and the like is paidout. Accordingly, even though the internal win is determined, theinternal win cannot be established unless the player carries out thestop operation at the proper timing. As a consequence, it is required askill in the timing of the stop operation, so-called “observation push”.

Regarding the above machine, it has been suggested a gaming machinecapable of maintaining a player's interest in a game (see JapanesePatent Unexamined Publication No. 2002-253738). According to this gamingmachine, since it is provided a unit for carrying out an effect relatingto a mode of a definite notification of whether an advantageoussituation occurs under a special game mode, the player pays attention tocontents of effect. Thereby, it is possible to maintain the player'sinterest in the game under the special game mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, regarding the above gaming machines, it is needed a gamingmachine viewing from a different standpoint.

An object of the invention is to provide an interesting gaming machine.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of theinvention, there is provided a gaming machine comprising: a displaydevice for variably displaying a plurality of symbols; a start signaloutput device for outputting a command signal to start a unit game,based on an operation of a player; a stop signal output device foroutputting a command signal to stop the variable display of the symbolsin the display device, based on an operation of the player; a firstinformation transfer device for transferring information to the player;a second information transfer device for transferring information to theplayer and different from the first information transfer device; a firstcontrol circuit board; and a second control circuit board different fromthe first control circuit board, wherein the first control circuit boardcomprises: an internal win determining unit for determining an internalwin every unit game on the basis of the signal outputted by the startsignal output device; a unit for starting the variable display of thesymbols by the display device, based on the signal outputted by thestart signal output device; a stop control unit for stop-controlling thevariable display of the symbols by the display device, based on thesignal outputted by the stop signal output device and the internal windetermined by the internal win determining unit; a first informationtransfer control unit for controlling the first information transferdevice, based on information about a game; and an information transmitunit for transmitting the information about a game to the second controlcircuit board, and wherein the second control circuit board comprises asecond information transfer control unit for controlling the secondinformation transfer device, based on the information about a gametransmitted by the information transmit unit.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided agaming machine comprising: a display device for variably displaying aplurality of symbols; a start signal output device for outputting acommand signal to start a unit game based on an operation of a player; astop signal output device for outputting a command signal to stop thevariable display of the symbols in the display device, based on anoperation of the player; a first information transfer device fortransferring information to the player; a second information transferdevice for transferring information to the player and different from thefirst information transfer device; a first control circuit board; and asecond control circuit board different from the first control circuitboard, wherein the first control circuit board comprises: an internalwin determining unit for determining an internal win every unit game onthe basis of the signal outputted by the start signal output device; aunit for starting the variable display of the symbols by the displaydevice, based on the signal outputted by the start signal output device;a stop control unit for stop-controlling the variable display of thesymbols by the display device, based on the signal outputted by the stopsignal output device and the internal win determined by the internal windetermining unit; a transfer mode determining unit for determining atransfer mode of information about a game; a first information transfercontrol unit for controlling the first information transfer device,based on a result determined by the transfer mode determining unit; andan information transmit unit for transmitting the result determined bythe transfer mode determining unit to the second control circuit board,and wherein the second control circuit board comprises a secondinformation transfer control unit for controlling the second informationtransfer device, based on the result determined by the transfer modedetermining unit and transmitted by the information transmit unit.

According to the first aspect, the first control circuit board comprisesthe first information transfer control unit for controlling the firstinformation transfer device, based on the information about a game, andthe second control circuit board comprises the second informationtransfer control unit for controlling the second information transferdevice, based on the information about a game transmitted by theinformation transmit unit. In the mean time, according to the secondaspect, the first control circuit board comprises the transfer modedetermining unit for determining a transfer mode of information about agame and the first information transfer control unit for controlling thefirst information transfer device, based on a result determined by thetransfer mode determining unit, and the second control circuit boardcomprises the second information transfer control unit for controllingthe second information transfer device, based on the result determinedby the transfer mode determining unit and transmitted by the informationtransmit unit.

According to the first and second aspects, since the player can acquirethe information with the two information transfer devices, the interestin the game is increased. In addition, since the two informationtransfer devices are provided, the diversity of the game can beincreased. Further, even when there occurs badness in the second controlcircuit board due to an unexpected situation such as lightning, sincethe information can be transmitted by the first information transferdevice, it is possible to equip the gaming machine in a game arcadewithout anxiety.

In particular, according to the second aspect, since the secondinformation transfer control unit of the second control circuit boardcontrols the second information transfer device on the basis of theresult determined by the transfer mode determining unit, it is possibleto interrelate the transfer mode of the first information transferdevice and the transfer mode of the second information transfer device,thereby increasing the interest in the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention willappear more fully from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a gamingmachine according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an internal win notifying area and a display screen of aliquid crystal display device formed on a front of a gaming machine;

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of symbols arranged on a reel of agaming machine;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an occurrence condition, a shift condition anda game mode of a shift place with respect to each game mode;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views showing a symbol combination and a payout numberfor each win;

FIGS. 7A, 7B to 10 show various probability lottery tables;

FIG. 11 shows a selection table of a win for reel-stop;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of a gaming machine;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a main process executed by a maincontrol circuit of a gaming machine;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart following FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart following FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a sliding-symbol-number determiningprocess;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a RT control process;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a period intervention process;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a display control process;

FIG. 20 shows an internal win notifying area and a display screen of agaming machine according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 shows a lights-out pattern determining table of a gaming machineaccording to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a three-color LED control process of agaming machine according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing a display control process of a gamingmachine according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 24 is a table showing a relationship between a game mode and acolor of a LED to be turned on.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, it will be described preferred embodiments of the inventionwith reference to the drawings.

First, it is schematically described a gaming machine 1 according to afirst embodiment of the invention with reference to FIG. 1. The gamingmachine 1 is a so-called pachi-slot machine. The gaming machine 1 is agaming machine played with a game medium such as coin, medal, gamingball, token, and card memorizing information about a game value awardedor to be awarded to a player. In the followings, it is described that amedal is used to play the game.

A front side of a cabinet 2 constituting the whole gaming machine 1 isprovided with a panel display unit 2 a having an approximately verticalsurface, and display windows 4L, 4C, 4R having a rectangular shape areformed in a center thereof. The display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are formedwith pay lines, i.e., top line 8 b, center line 8 c and bottom line 8 dwhich are horizontally directed and cross-up line 8 a and cross-downline 8 e which are diagonally directed. One, three and five of these paylines are respectively activated in accordance with a push operation ofa 1-BET switch 11, a 2-BET switch 12 and a MAX-BET switch 13 or medalinsertion into a medal insertion slot 22, which will be described later.BET lamps 9 a, 9 b, 9 c are turned on to represent which of the paylines is activated.

The pay lines 8 a to 8 e are related to whether a win is made or not.Specifically, when one symbol corresponding to a predetermined win, forexample, “Upper Chili (symbol 96)” corresponding to “Small Win of UpperChili”, is stopped at a predetermined position corresponding to thecenter line 8 c, for example, a central position in the left displaywindow 4L, when a BET number is “3”, or when symbols having acombination corresponding to a predetermined win are arranged andstopped at predetermined positions corresponding to one activated line,the predetermined win is made.

In the cabinet 2, three reels 3L, 3C, 3R (variable display unit) havingsymbols drawn on peripheries thereof are mounted horizontally in a rowto be rotatable. It is possible to observe the symbols of the respectivereels through the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. Each of the reels 3L, 3C,3R is rotated at a constant speed, for example, 80 revolutions/min.

To a left side of the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are mounted a 1-BETlamp 9 a, a 2-BET lamp 9 b, a MAX-BET lamp 9 c, an information displayunit 19 and a delay cancellation game-number display unit 19. Aninternal win notifying area 23 is provided below the display windows 4L,4C, 4R. The 1-BET lamp 9 a, the 2-BET lamp 9 b and the MAX-BET lamp 9 care turned on depending on the number of medals (hereinafter, referredto as “BET number”) bet to play one game.

The 1-BET lamp 9 a is turned on when the BET number is “1” and one ofthe pay lines is activated. The 2-BET lamp 9 b is turned on when the BETnumber is “2” and the three pay lines are activated. The MAX-BET lamp 9c is turned on when the BET number is “3” and the five pay lines areactivated. The information display unit 18 consists of 7-segment LED anddisplays the number of medals deposited, i.e., credited, and the payoutnumber of medals at the time when a win is made. The delay cancellationgame-number display unit 19 consists of 7-segment LED and displays thenumber of games which can be played in a delay cancellation section,i.e., the number of games in which a delay cancellation section iscontinued.

A base portion 10 having a horizontal surface is provided below thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, 4R. A liquid crystal display device 5 is mountedbetween the base portion 10 and the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R.Information about a game, for example information representing aninternal win in a big bonus or challenge time and a carryover isdisplayed on a screen 5 a of the liquid crystal display device 5. Amedal insertion slot 22 is formed at a right side of the liquid crystaldisplay device 5, and a 1-BET switch 11, a 2-BET switch 12 and a MAX-BETswitch 13 are provided at a left side of the liquid crystal displaydevice 5.

When the 1-BET switch 11 is pushed one time, one of the medals creditedis bet per a game. When the 2-BET switch 12 is pushed one time, two ofthe medals credited are bet per a game. When the MAX-BET switch 11 ispushed one time, the maximum number of medals can be bet per a game.When these BET switches 11, 12, 13 are pushed, the predetermined payline is activated, as described above.

To a frontal left side of the base portion 10 is mounted a C/P switch 14for switching credit/payout of medals which are acquired through a gameby a player. When the payout is carried out, the medals are paid outfrom a medal payout slot 15 provided at a frontal lower side and thepaid out medals are stacked in a medal tray 16. A start lever 6 forrotating the reels to variably display the symbols in display windows4L, 4C, 4R by a manipulation of the player is mounted at the right sideof the C/P switch 14 to be rotatable within a predetermined range ofangles.

There is provided a delay cancellation section in a game sectionaccording to one embodiment. In the delay cancellation section, it iscarried a process for rotating the reels in accordance with theoperation of the start lever 6, irrespective of the time period fromafter the reels have started to rotate in a previous unit game. In otherwords, a maximum delay time period is “0 second”. The delay cancellationsection conforms to a game section which is a RT game mode.

In the mean time, in game sections except the delay cancellationsection, when the start lever 6 is operated, when “4.1 seconds” have notelapsed after the previous game has started, the reel rotating processin accordance with the operation of the start lever 6 is carried outafter “4.1 seconds”. In other words, the reel rotating process isdelayed. The maximum delay time is “4.1 seconds”. It is determinedthrough a mode of a delay cancellation flag whether it is under delaycancellation section. When the delay cancellation flag is ON, it isunder delay cancellation section. When the delay cancellation flag isOFF, it is under game section except the delay cancellation section.

In the delay cancellation section, since there is no case where theplayer waits for the start of the reel rotation after the start lever 6is operated, a smooth game can be realized. In the mean time, in thegame sections except the delay cancellation section, it is possible tolimit the number of games in which the player can play the game per unittime.

To a lower side of the liquid crystal display device 5 at the frontalcenter of the base portion 10 are mounted three stop buttons (stopoperation unit) 7L, 7C, 7R for stopping the rotations of the reels 3L,3C, 3R, respectively. Speakers 21L, 21R are mounted at the upper leftand right sides of the medal tray 16. A unit game is basically startedby the operation of the start lever 6 and is over when all the reels 3L,3C, 3R are stopped.

In this embodiment, the maximum number of sliding symbols, i.e., themaximum sliding display number under challenge game mode and a singlechallenge game mode is set to be “1”. The maximum number of slidingsymbols under a game mode except the challenge game mode and the singlechallenge game mode is set to be “4”. The “number of sliding symbols” isthe number of symbols displayed or moved from after it is detected thepush operation of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R until the correspondingreels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped. Specifically, the number of slidingsymbols is identical to the number of symbols whose center portions havepassed through the predetermined pay lines such as center line 8 c fromafter the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R are pushed until the correspondingreels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped.

One or more reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stop-controlled within a predeterminedtime period, for example, 75 ms, after the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R arepushed during the challenge game mode and the single challenge gamemode. One or more reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stop-controlled within apredetermined time period, for example, 190 ms, during the game modeexcept the challenge game mode and the single challenge game mode. Itmay be set game modes in which the maximum time periods from after thestop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R are pushed until the reels 3L, 3C, 3R arestopped are different from each other.

In this embodiment, a stop operation of the reel which is carried out bypushing the stop buttons while all the reels are being rotated isreferred to as a “first stop operation”, a stop operation which iscarried out following the first stop operation is referred to as a“second stop operation”, and a stop operation which is carried outfollowing the second stop operation is referred to as a “third stopoperation”.

FIG. 2 shows an internal win notifying area 23 and the display screen 5a.

The internal win notifying area 23 has three-color LEDs L1 to L11 whosecolor can be changed into one of red, orange and green colors. Thethree-color LEDs L1 to L11 correspond to Losing, Small Win of JAC, Groupwin, Small Win of Bell, Small Win of Watermelon, Replay, SCT, SB, RB, CTand BB which will be described later, respectively.

When one game is started, the information of an internal win istransferred and a LED of the three-color LEDs L1 to L11 corresponding tothe internal win is turned on. A symbol combination corresponding to theinternal win is displayed on the display screen 5 a. In an example shownin FIG. 2, RB is determined as an internal win and the three-color LEDL9 is turned on. A symbol combination of “Red 7-Red 7-White 7”corresponding to RB is displayed on the display screen 5 a.

The three-color LEDs L1 to L11 are controlled by a main control circuit71 which will be described later. In the mean time, the liquid crystaldisplay device 5 is controlled by a sub-control circuit 72 which will bedescribed later. The information of same contents is notified to theplayer through the internal win notifying area 23 and the display screen5 a. Accordingly, for example, even when there occurs badness in thesub-control circuit 72 due to an unexpected situation such as lightning,it is possible to play a game, based on the display mode of the symbolsin the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R and the notification in the internalwin notifying area 23. Accordingly, it is possible to equip the gamingmachine in a game arcade without anxiety.

FIG. 3 shows symbol rows displayed on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, in each ofwhich 21 symbols are arranged. Each of the symbols is given with codenumbers of “00” to “20”, and stored as a data table in a ROM 32 whichwill be described later (see FIG. 12). The symbol row consisting of“White 7 (symbol 91)”, “Red 7 (symbol 92)”, “Bell (symbol 93)”,“watermelon (symbol 94)”, “Replay (symbol (95)”, “Upper Chili (symbol96)” and “Lower Chili (symbol 97)” is displayed on each of the reels 3L,3C, 3R. Each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is rotated so that the symbol rowsare moved in an arrow direction of FIG. 3.

In this embodiment, the win includes BB, Challenge Time (hereinafter,abbreviated to “CT”), RB, Single Bonus (hereinafter, abbreviated to“SB”), Single Challenge Time (hereinafter, abbreviated to “SCT”),Replay, Small Win of Watermelon, Small Win of Upper Chili, Small Win ofLower Chili and Small Win of JAC.

RB is a first type special single bonus. BB is a continuous operationdevice of single bonus relating to the first type special single bonus.A challenge game is a second type special single bonus. SCT is anoperating condition of the second type special single bonus. CT is acontinuous operation device of single bonus relating to the second typespecial single bonus. SB is a common bonus game.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an occurrence condition of each game mode, ashift condition and a game mode of a shift place when the shiftcondition is fulfilled. A game characteristic of each game mode, forexample, a state of the stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R incorrespondence with a win for reel-stop which will be described later,will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

In this embodiment, the game mode includes a base game mode, a BB gamemode, a challenge time game mode (hereinafter, abbreviated to “CT gamemode”), a RB game mode, a single challenge game mode (hereinafter,abbreviated to “SCG mode”), a BB carryover mode, a challenge timecarryover mode (hereinafter, abbreviated to “CT carryover mode”), a RBcarryover mode, a single bonus game mode (hereinafter, abbreviated to“SB game mode”) and a Replay game mode of high probability (hereinafter,abbreviated to “RT game mode”). The BB carryover mode, the CT carryovermode and the RB carryover mode are referred to as “carryover mode”. Awin carried over under carryover mode is referred to as “internalcarryover win”.

The base game mode is a game mode in which an expected value of theso-called “rate of paying out balls”, i.e., a game value to be paid outto a player with respect to a unit game value bet per a game, is lessthan “1”. There is no internal carryover win made in the base game mode,and it is the most disadvantageous to the player as compared to theother game modes.

The BB game mode is a game mode consisting of the BB base game mode theRB game mode. The BB game mode is a game mode consisting of a game inwhich “a continuous operation device of single bonus relating to thefirst type special single bonus” operates.

The CT game mode is a game mode consisting of the CT base game mode anda challenge game mode (hereinafter, abbreviated to “CG mode”). A gameunder CG mode and the SCG mode is referred to as “challenge game”. TheCT game mode is a game mode consisting of a game in which “a continuousoperation device of single bonus relating to the second type specialsingle bonus” operates.

The SCG mode and the CG mode are game modes consisting of a game inwhich “the second type special single bonus” operates.

The RB game mode is a game mode consisting of a game in which “the firsttype special single bonus” operates.

The game characteristics during the CG mode and the SCG mode arebasically similar. However, there is a difference in that the CG mode isstarted during the CT base game mode and the SCG mode is started duringthe base game mode.

The BB carryover mode is a game mode in which a win of BB is permittedover one or more games.

The CT carryover mode is a game mode in which a win of CT is permittedover one or more games.

The RB carryover mode is a game mode in which a win of RB is permittedover one or more games.

As described below, when a specific condition is fulfilled during the BBbase game mode, it is shifted to the RB game mode without a win of RB(i.e., “Red 7-Red 7-White 7” is not arranged and stopped along theactivated line). When an internal win of RB is determined during the BBgame mode (RB game mode under BB base game mode or BB game mode), the RBcarryover mode (RB carryover mode under BB) is generated over one ormore games during the BB game mode. When a win of RB is made, the gamemode is shifted to the RB game mode under BB game mode from the RBcarryover mode (RB carryover mode under BB).

When an internal win of RB is determined during the BB game mode or whena specific condition is fulfilled without a win of RB during the RBcarryover mode, the game mode may be shifted to the RB game mode underBB game mode from the current game mode such as RB game mode under BB.However, when an ending condition of the BB game mode is fulfilledduring the RB carryover mode (RB carryover mode under BB), the game modeis shifted to the base game mode from the RB carryover mode (RBcarryover mode under BB). In the mean time, when an internal win of RBis determined during the base game mode, it is shifted to the RBcarryover mode and it is carried out a carryover of RB.

The SB game mode is a game mode consisting of a game in which a “commonsingle bonus” operates.

The RT game mode is a game mode in which a probability that an internalwin is determined or that a win of Replay is made is higher than in thebase game mode.

As shown in FIG. 4, an occurrence condition of the BB game mode is a winof BB. If an acquired number, for example, so-called “net increasednumber” or “payout number”, is a predetermined number such as 361 piecesor more, the shift condition of a game mode is satisfied and the gamemode is shifted to the base game mode.

An occurrence condition of the CT game mode is a win of CT which will bedescribed later. When an internal win of CT is determined, one of CT1and CT2 is distributed by a lottery. If an acquired number is apredetermined number such as 254 pieces or more, if an internal win ofRB or SB is determined, the shift condition is satisfied and the gamemode is shifted to the base game mode.

An occurrence condition of the RB game mode under base game mode is awin of RB. If a predetermined number of games, for example, 12 times, isover or if it is determined the predetermined number of times when a winis made, for example, 8 times, the shift condition is satisfied and thegame mode is shifted to the base game mode.

An occurrence condition of the carryover mode is one of an internal winof BB, an internal win of RB, an internal win of RB under SCG and CGmodes, an internal win of CT and an internal win of RB under BB gamemode. If a win of BB, RB or CT is determined, if the BB game mode isover, or if the RB game mode is started during the BB game mode, theshift condition is satisfied and the game mode is shifted to the BB gamemode, the RB game mode, the CT game mode or the base game mode.

An occurrence condition of the SCG mode is a win of SCT during the basegame mode, which will be described later. Except the case, the conditionis an internal win of RB or SB during the CG mode. In any case, if thepredetermined number of games, for example, one time, is over, the shiftcondition is satisfied and the game mode is shifted to the base gamemode, the RB game mode, the SB game mode or the RB carryover mode.

An occurrence condition of the SB game mode is a win of SB which will bedescribed. If the predetermined number of games (for example, one time)is over, the shift condition is satisfied and the game mode is shiftedto the base game mode.

An occurrence condition of the BB base game mode is a win of BB or anending of the RB game mode under BB game mode. If the BB game mode isover, or if the RB game mode under BB game mode is started, the shiftcondition is satisfied and the game mode is shifted to the base gamemode or the RB game mode.

An occurrence condition of the RB game mode under BB game mode is asfollows: a specific condition is fulfilled in the RB game mode under BBbase game mode or BB game mode, or a win of RB is made in the RB gamemode under BB base game mode or BB game mode. If the predeterminednumber of games (for example, 12 times) is over, if it is determined thepredetermined number of times when a win is made (for example, 8 times),or if the BB game mode is over, the shift condition is satisfied and thegame mode is shifted to the base game mode, the RB game mode under BBgame mode or the BB base game mode.

An occurrence condition of the CT base game mode is a win of CT or anending of the CG mode under CT game mode. If the CT game mode is over orthe CG mode is started during the CT game mode, the shift condition issatisfied and the game mode is shifted to the base game mode or the CGmode.

When an internal win of RB or SB is determined during the CT base gamemode, the game mode is shifted to the base game mode or the carryovermode. When an internal win of RB is determined during the CG mode, achallenge game is carried out in a game in which the internal win isdetermined. When a win of RB is made in the challenge game, the gamemode is shifted to the RB game mode. Otherwise, the game mode is shiftedto the carryover mode. When an internal win of SB is determined duringthe CG mode, a challenge game is carried out in a game in which theinternal win is determined. When a win of SB is made in the challengegame, the game mode is shifted to the SB game mode. Otherwise, the gamemode is shifted to the base game sate.

An occurrence condition of the CG mode is that a specific condition isfulfilled or a win of SCT is made during the CT base game mode. In theCT base game mode, when a win of SCT is made, there occurs a CG mode,rather than SCT mode. If the predetermined number of games (for example,one or more times) is over, the shift condition is satisfied and thegame mode is shifted to the base game mode or the CT base game mode.

A CG mode occurring during CT1 which is started with a win of CT and anachievement of the predetermined condition is referred to as “CG modeduring CT1”. A CG mode occurring during CT2 which is started with a winof CT and an achievement of the predetermined condition is referred toas “CG mode during CT2”.

An occurrence condition of the RT game mode is an ending of the BB gamemode. If the predetermined number of games (for example, 100 times) isover, the shift condition is satisfied and the game mode is shifted tothe base game mode. If a win of BB, RB or CT is made, the shiftcondition is satisfied and the game mode is shifted to the BB game mode,the RB game mode or the CT game mode. If a win of SCT is made, the gamemode is shifted to the SCG mode. At this time, the game mode may beshifted to the RT game mode from the SCG mode. It is possible todiscriminate whether it is under RT game mode with a value of a RTcounter or the delay cancellation flag of ON or OFF state, which will bedescribed later.

The number of games in which the RT game mode continues is calculated bya RT counter. When the occurrence condition of the RT game mode issatisfied, the delay cancellation flag is updated to ON and “100” is setin the RT counter. When a game is played in the RT game mode, a value ofthe RT counter is subtracted. When the value of the RT counter isupdated to “0” and the unit game is over, the delay cancellation flag isupdated to OFF, so that the RT game mode is ended.

As described above, the delay cancellation section conforms to the gamesection which is under RT game mode. Accordingly, the number of games inwhich the delay cancellation section continues is same as the number oftimes exhibited by the value of the RT counter. In this embodiment, thevalue of the RT counter is displayed on the delay cancellationgame-number display unit 19.

The player can perceive the number of games in which the delaycancellation section continues, based on the display contents of thedelay cancellation game-number display unit 19, and can make progressthe game while recognizing an ending time of the delay cancellationsection.

In the followings, it is described a symbol combination and a payoutnumber for each win with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

When “Red 7-Red 7-Red 7” is arranged along the activated line, a win ofBB is made.

When “White 7-White 7-White 7” is arranged along the activated line, awin of CT is made.

When “Red 7-Red 7-White 7” is arranged along the activated line, a winof RB is made.

When “Bell-Bell-Replay” is arranged along the activated line, a win ofSB is made.

When “Replay-Replay-Bell” is arranged along the activated line, a win ofSCT is made.

When “Replay-Replay-Replay” is arranged along the activated line, a winof Replay is made. When a win of Replay is made, since the same numberof medals as the inserted medals is automatically inserted, the playercan play a next game without consuming the medals. In other words,Replay is a win allowing a game to be played when a win thereof is made,irrespective of the insertion of the game medium.

Combinations of symbols representing the wins of “Small Win ofWatermelon”, “Small Win of Bell”, “Small Win of Upper Chili” and “SmallWin of Lower Chili” are as shown.

When “Upper Chili (symbol 96)” and “Lower Chili (symbol 97)” are stoppedin the left display window 4L, the wins of “Small Win of Upper Chili”and “Small Win of Lower Chili” are made, respectively. As shown in FIG.3, “Upper Chili” and “Lower Chili” are arranged to be adjacent to eachother up and down on the left reel 3L.

Accordingly, there may be a case where the wins of “Upper Chili” and“Lower Chili” are duplicatively made (this case is referred to as “SmallWin of Combined Chili”. In this case, the payout number is “9 pieces” or“15 pieces”.

When “Bell-Replay-Bell” is arranged under RB game mode and SB game mode,a win of Small Win of JAC is made.

In the base game mode, the carryover mode or the RT game mode, there isa case where a win except Small Win of JAC is made. However, there is nocase where a win of SB, SCT, CT or RB is made during the BB carryovermode. There is no case where a win of SB, SCT, BB or RB is made duringthe CT carryover mode. There is no case where a win of SB, SCT, BB or CTis made during the RB carryover mode. Further, there is no case where awin of SB, SCT, BB or CB is made in the RB carryover mode under BB gamemode (RB carryover mode under BB).

There is a case where a win except BB, CT, RB, SB and Small Win of JACis made in the CT base game mode.

There is a case where a win except BB, CT and Small Win of JAC is madein the CG mode. There is a case where a win except Small Win of JAC ismade in the SCG mode. In FIG. 5, it is shown a win of BB in the SCG modewhich corresponds to a symbol combination of “Red 7-Red 7-Red 7” and thepayout number of 15 pieces, and a win of CT in the SCG mode whichcorresponds to a symbol combination of “White 7-White7-White 7” and thepayout number of 15 pieces.

There is a case where a win of RB, Replay, Small Win of Watermelon,Small Win of Bell, Small Win of Upper Chili or Small Win of Lower Chiliis made in the BB base game mode.

There is a case where a win of Replay or Small Win of JAC is made in theRB game mode shifted from the base game mode. There is a case where awin of RB, Replay or Small Win of JAC is made in the RB game mode underBB game mode.

There is a case where a win except Small Win of Watermelon, Small Win ofBell, Small Win of Upper Chili and Small Win of Lower Chili is made inthe SB game mode.

In the followings, it is described a probability lottery table withreference to FIGS. 7A, 7B to 10.

FIG. 7A shows a probability lottery table for base game mode. There is acase where a win except Small Win of JAC is determined as the internalwin in the base game mode.

FIG. 7B shows a probability lottery table for CT game mode. There is acase where a win except BB, CT and Small Win of JAC is determined as theinternal win in the CT game mode. In any of the CT base game mode andthe CG mode, an internal win is determined on the basis of theprobability lottery table shown in FIG. 7B. A win for reel-stop isselected, based on the different lottery value.

FIG. 8A shows a probability lottery table for SCG mode. There is a casewhere a win except Small Win of JAC is determined as the internal win inthe SCG mode.

FIG. 8B shows a probability lottery table for BB base game mode. In theBB base game mode, an internal win of any one of RB, Replay, Small Winof Watermelon, Small Win of Bell, Group win and Losing is determined. Inthe BB base game mode, the game mode may be shifted to the RB game modeirrespective of the internal win and may be shifted to it via the RBcarryover mode under BB, on condition that the game mode is shifted tothe RB game mode under BB game mode.

FIG. 8C shows a probability lottery table for RB game mode under basegame mode. In the RB game mode, an internal win of any one of Replay,Small Win of JAC and Losing is determined.

FIG. 9A shows a probability lottery table for carryover mode. In thecarryover mode, an internal win of any one of Replay, Small Win ofWatermelon, Small Win of Bell, Group win and Losing is determined.

FIG. 9B shows a probability lottery table for RB game mode under BB gamemode. In the RB game mode under BB game mode, an internal win of any oneof RB, Replay, Small Win of JAC and Losing is determined. In the BB basegame mode and the RB carryover mode under BB, it is used a table inwhich RB is excluded from the probability lottery table for BB base gamemode shown in FIG. 8B, i.e., a table in which RB is not selected as aninternal win. In other words, in such table, a probability that aninternal win of RB will be determined is “0” and the lotteryprobabilities of the other wins are as shown in FIG. 8B. A probabilityof Losing may be changed. In the RB game mode under BB game mode and theRB carryover mode under BB, it is used a table in which RB is excludedfrom the probability lottery table for RB game mode under BB game modeshown in FIG. 9B, i.e., a table in which RB is not selected as aninternal win. In other words, in such table, a probability that aninternal win of RB will be determined is “0” and the lotteryprobabilities of the other wins are as shown in FIG. 9B.

FIG. 9C shows a probability lottery table for SB game mode. In the SBgame mode, an internal win of any one of BB, CT, RB, SB, SCT, Replay,Small Win of JAC and Losing is determined.

The probability lottery tables are provided every setting value which isprovided in several stages, for example, 6 stages. However, theprobability lottery table per setting value is omitted. The settingvalue is basically a value set or selected by a game arcade. The degreeadvantageous to the player (for example, the rate of paying out balls, aprobability of an internal win) in a game is different depending on thesetting values. In this embodiment, “1” to “6” are provided as thesetting values. The probability that an internal win of at least one ofBB, CT, RB, SB, SCT, etc. will be determined is different between atleast any “two” setting values. However, it may be structured in such away that an internal win is determined at all the setting values usingany one of the probability lottery tables, and a selection table of awin for reel-stop which is used to determine a win for reel-stop becomesdifferent in correspondence with the setting.

FIG. 10 shows a probability lottery table for RT game mode. Similarly tothe base game mode, in the RT game mode, there is a case where any winexcept Small Win of JAC is determined as the internal win. In the RTgame mode, a probability that an internal win of Replay will bedetermined is higher than in the base game mode. Specifically, aprobability that an internal win of Replay will be determined is double(“2245/16384” in the base game mode and “4490/16384” in the RT gamemode). In the RT game mode, a probability that an internal win of Losingwill be determined is lower than in the base game mode (“11599/16384” inthe base game mode and“9354/16384” in the RT game mode). A probabilitythat other internal wins will be determined is same as the base gamemode.

In the followings, it is described a selection table of a win forreel-stop with reference to FIG. 11.

The selection table of a win for reel-stop indicates a lottery value forthe respective wins for reel-stop with respect to the game mode and theinternal win.

The win for reel-stop is information used for the stop control of thereels 3L, 3C, 3R. When a win for reel-stop is determined, the reels3L,3C, 3R are stop-controlled under state that a stop mode of a symbolor symbol combination corresponding to the win is allowed to stop in thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, 4R. The stop control is carried out under statethat a symbol or symbol combination corresponding to a win except thewin for reel-stop is not allowed.

The lottery value is a value which will be subtracted from a sampledrandom number. When a value obtained by subtracting a lottery value froma random number is negative, a win for reel-stop corresponding to thelottery value is selected. A sampling range of random numbers is “0” to“127”. For example, when an internal win is Replay in the SCG mode, whenthe sampled random number is “30”, a lottery value “20” corresponding toReplay which is a win for reel-stop is first subtracted from “30”. Theresulting value “10” is a positive value. Then, when a lottery value“108” corresponding to all Small Win which is a win for reel-stop issubtracted from “10”, the resulting value is negative. Accordingly, allSmall Win is selected as a win for reel-stop.

The maximum number of sliding symbols of the reel corresponding to thefirst stop operation is set to be “1” and the maximum number of slidingsymbols of the reel corresponding to the second and third stopoperations is basically set to be “0”. However, when Small Win is notincluded in the win for reel-stop, the maximum number of sliding symbolsis basically set to be “1”.

In other words, when all Small Win is selected as a win for reel-stop, awin of all Small Win is allowed. Then, a push timing of the stop buttonsby the player determines whether the win is made or not. Likewise, evenwhen a win except Replay is set as a win for reel-stop, a push timing ofthe stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R by the player determines whether the win ismade or not.

When an internal win is BB, BB is selected as a win for reel-stop in thebase game mode, the RT game mode and the SB game mode. In the mean time,any one of BB and “BB and all Small Win” is selected as a win forreel-stop in the SCG mode.

When an internal win is CT, CT is selected as a win for reel-stop in thebase game mode, the RT game mode and the SB game mode. In the mean time,any one of CT and “CT and all Small Win” is selected as a win forreel-stop in the SCG mode.

When an internal win is RB, RB is selected as a win for reel-stop in thebase game mode, the RT game mode, the BB base game mode and the SB gamemode. In the mean time, any one of RB and “RB and all Small Win” isselected as a win for reel-stop in the SCG mode. RB or Losing isselected as a win for reel-stop in the RB game mode. When an internalwin of RB is determined in the RB game mode, RB is carried over.

When an internal win is SB, SB is selected as a win for reel-stop in thebase game mode, the RT game mode and the SB game mode. In the mean time,any one of SB and “SB and all Small Win” is selected as a win forreel-stop in the SCG mode.

When an internal win is SCT, SCT is selected as a win for reel-stop inthe game mode except the SCG mode and the SB game mode. In the meantime, in the SCG mode and the SB game mode, it is determined through apredetermined lottery whether a win of SCT is allowed or not in the SCGmode, and SCT or all Small Win is selected as a win for reel-stop.

In a next game of the game in which a win of SCT has been made in thebase game mode or RT game mode, the game mode becomes the SCG mode. Inthe SCG mode, when an internal win of SCT is determined and SCT isselected as a win for reel-stop, a game mode in a next game becomes alsothe SCG mode. In other words, the game mode in the games which arecontinued with the win of SCT becomes the SCG mode, so that a pseudohigh probability CG mode is correspondingly generated.

A continuation condition of the pseudo high probability CG mode is suchthat SCT is selected as a win for reel-stop. The pseudo high probabilityCG mode is ended in a game in which all Small Win is selected as a winfor reel-stop. Accordingly, if Replay is not set as a win for reel-stopduring the pseudo high probability CG mode, a control is carried out sothat the maximum number of sliding symbols becomes “0”. In addition,since there is a case where an internal win of SCT is determined and thepseudo high probability CG mode occurs even during the CG mode, there isa case where a game mode of the games continued becomes the CG mode.

When an internal win is Replay, Replay is selected as a win forreel-stop in the base game mode, the RT game mode, the carryover mode,the CT base game mode, the BB base game mode, the RB game mode and theSB game mode. In the mean time, Replay or all Small Win is selected as awin for reel-stop in the CG mode during CT1, the CG mode during CT2 andthe SCG mode. The selection probability may be different in each of themodes.

In the probability lottery tables used for the CG mode during CT1, theCG mode during CT2 and the SCG mode (see FIGS. 7B and 8A), theprobability that an internal win of Replay will be determined ishighest. However, when the internal win of Replay is determined, the winfor reel-stop is distributed to Replay or all Small Win.

When an internal win is Small Win of Watermelon, Small Win of Watermelonis selected as a win for reel-stop in the base game mode, the RT gamemode, the carryover mode, the CT base game mode and the BB base gamemode. In the mean time, all Small Win is selected as a win for reel-stopin the CG mode during CT1, the CG mode during CT2 and the SCG mode.

When an internal win is Small Win of Bell, Small Win of Bell is selectedas a win for reel-stop in the base game mode, the RT game mode, thecarryover mode, the CT base game mode and the BB base game mode. In themean time, all Small Win is selected as a win for reel-stop in the CGmode during CT1, the CG mode during CT2 and the SCG mode.

When an internal win is Group win, any one of Small Win of Upper Chili,Small Win of Lower Chili and Small Win of Combined Chili is selected asa win for reel-stop in the base game mode, the RT game mode, thecarryover mode, the CT base game mode and the BB base game mode. Theprobability that Small Win of Combined Chili will be selected as a winfor reel-stop is highest.

When an internal win is Group win, any one of Small Win of Upper Chili,Small Win of Lower Chili, Small Win of Combined Chili and all Small Winis selected as a win for reel-stop in the CG mode during CT1 and the CGmode during CT2. The probabilities that each of the wins will beselected as a win for reel-stop are different. In the CG mode duringCT1, the probability that Small Win of Combined Chili (payout number is“15 pieces”) will be selected as a win for reel-stop is highest. In theCG mode during CT2, the probability that Small Win of Upper Chili(payout number is “2 pieces”) will be selected as a win for reel-stop ishighest.

The ending condition of the CT game mode includes that the acquirednumber is a predetermined number or more. Accordingly, an expected valuefor the number of continuation games under CT game mode which occurswith a win of CT distributed to CT1 is higher than an expected value forthe number of continuation games under CT game mode which occurs with awin of CT distributed to CT2. Since the CT game modes having differentexpected values for the number of continuation games are allowed tooccur, it is possible to realize the various game characteristics.

When the internal win is Group win, all Small Win is selected as a winfor reel-stop in the SCG mode.

When the internal win is Small Win of JAC, Small Win of JAC is selectedas a win for reel-stop in the RB game mode and the SB game mode.

When the internal win is Losing, Losing is selected as a win forreel-stop in the base game mode, the RT game mode, the CT game mode, theBB base game mode, the RB game mode and the SB game mode.

When the internal win is Losing, an internal carryover win is selectedas a win for reel-stop in the carryover mode. The internal carryover winincludes RB which is carried over in the RB carryover mode under BB. AllSmall Win is selected as a win for reel-stop in the CG mode during CT1,the CG mode during CT2 and the SCG mode.

The selection table of a win for reel-stop is provided every settingvalue. However, the probability lottery table per setting value isomitted. In this embodiment, the selection probability of a win forreel-stop corresponding to at least one of the internal wins isdifferent between at least any “two” setting values. However, it may bestructured in such a way that an internal win is determined at all thesetting values using any selection table of a win for reel-stop and theprobability lottery table which is used to determine a win for reel-stopbecomes different in correspondence with the setting.

FIG. 12 shows an electric circuit of the gaming machine 1. The electriccircuit has a main control circuit 71 controlling a game processingoperation of the gaming machine 1, a peripheral device (i.e., actuator)and a sub-control circuit 72 electrically connected to the main controlcircuit 71. The sub-control circuit 72 is provided with a CPU, a ROM, aRAM, etc. and controls the liquid crystal display device 5, the speakers21L, 21R, and the lamp 102, based on control signals transmitted fromthe main control circuit 71.

The main control circuit 71 has a micro computer 30 arranged on acircuit board as a main constituting element and is further providedwith a circuit for sampling random numbers. The micro computer 30includes a CPU 31 carrying out a control operation in accordance with apreset program, and a ROM 32 and a RAM 33 which are a memory unit.

To the CPU 31 is connected a clock pulse generating circuit 34 forgenerating a reference clock pulse, a frequency divider 35, a randomnumber generator 36 for generating a random number to be sampled and asampling circuit 37. In the mean time, the random number sampling may becarried out in the micro computer 30, i.e., on the operating program ofthe CPU 31. In this case, the random number generator 36 and thesampling circuit 37 may be omitted or held for a backup of the randomnumber sampling operation.

The ROM 32 of the micro computer 30 stores the probability lotterytables (see FIGS. 7A, 7B to 10), a stop table group for determining astop mode of a reel, various control commands for being transmitted tothe sub-control circuit 72 and the like. A determination of the randomnumber sampling is carried out every start operation by manipulating thestart lever 6, and the stop mode of reel is determined by a pushoperation of the stop buttons. The sub-control circuit 72 does not inputa command, information and the like to the main control circuit 71. Inother words, it is carried out one-way communication from the maincontrol circuit 71 to the sub-control circuit 72. The RAM 33 storesvarious information such as flag, game mode, etc.

In the circuit shown in FIG. 12, main actuators controlled by controlsignals from the micro computer 30 include the BET lamps 9 a, 9 b, 9 c,the three-color LEDs L1 to L11, the information display unit 18, ahopper 40 and stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R. The hopper 40 is providedto receive the medals and to pay out the predetermined number of medalsby a command of a hopper driving circuit 41 and includes a driving unitfor paying out the medals. The stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R rotate thereels 3L, 3C, 3R.

To an output of the CPU are connected a motor driving circuit 39 forcontrolling the operations of the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R, thehopper driving circuit 41 for controlling the operations of the hopper40, a lamp driving circuit 45 for controlling the operations of the BETlamps 9 a, 9 b, 9 c and a display unit driving circuit 48 forcontrolling the operations of the information display unit 18 and thedelay cancellation game-number display unit 19. These driving circuitsreceive the control signals such as driving commands outputted from theCPU 31 to control the operations of the actuators, respectively.

As a unit for generating an input signal required so that the microcomputer 30 generates a control command, there are provided a startswitch 6S, a 1-BET switch 11, a 2-BET switch 12, a MAX-BET switch 13, aC/P switch 14, a medal sensor 10S, a reel stop signal circuit 46, a reelposition detection circuit 50 and a payout completion signal circuit 51.

The start switch 6S detects a manipulation of the start lever 6. Themedal sensor 10S detects a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot10S. The reel stop signal circuit 46 generates a stop signal inaccordance with the push operation of the respective stop buttons 7L,7C, 7R. The reel position detection circuit 50 receives a pulse signalfrom reel rotating sensors and supplies a signal for detecting arotating position of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R to the CPU 31. Thepayout completion signal circuit 51 generates a signal for detecting thepayout completion of the medal when a value counted by a medal detectionunit 40S, i.e., the number of medals paid out from the hopper 40 reachesa predetermined value.

In the circuit of FIG. 12, the random number generator 36 generatesrandom numbers within a predetermined range, and the sampling circuit 37samples one random number at an appropriate timing after the start lever6 is manipulated. Based on the random number sampled and the probabilitylottery table stored in the ROM 32, an internal win is determined.

After the reels 3L, 3C, 3R starts to rotate, it is counted the number ofdriving pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R andthe count value is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 33. Areset pulse is obtained from the reels 3L, 3C, 3R every one revolutionand inputted to the CPU 31 through the reel position detection circuit50. The count value of the driving pulses stored in the RAM 33 iscleared to “0” by the obtained reset pulse. Thereby, it is stored thecount value corresponding to a rotating position within a range of onerevolution with regard to each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R in the RAM 33.

In order to match the rotating positions of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R to thesymbols arranged on the peripheries of the reels, a symbol table (notshown) is stored in the ROM 32. In this symbol table, on the basis ofthe rotating positions generated by the reset pulse, code numberssequentially given every rotation pitch of the respective reels 3L, 3C,3R are matched to symbol codes representing symbols provided tocorrespond to each of the code numbers.

A winning symbol combination table (not shown) is stored in the ROM 32.In the winning symbol combination table, it is matched a type of wins, acombination of symbols, the medal payout number and a winningdetermination code each other. The winning symbol combination table isreferred when it is carried out a control for stopping the rotations ofthe left reels 3L, the center reel 3C and the right reel 3R and when itis carried out a confirmation of the win after all the reels 3L, 3C, 3Rare stopped.

Based on the probability lottery process in accordance with the randomnumber sampling, the CPU 31 transmits a signal transmitted from the reelstop signal circuit 46 at the timing at which the player pushes the stopbuttons 7C, 7L, 7R and a signal for stop-controlling the reels 3L, 3C,3R based on the selected “stop table” to the motor driving circuit 39.

When the stopped symbol combination is matched to the internal win, theCPU 31 supplies a payout command signal to the hopper driving circuit 41to pay out the predetermined number of medals from the hopper 40. Atthis time, the medal detection unit 40S counts the number of medals paidout from the hopper 40, and the medal payout completion signal isinputted to the CPU 31 when the count value reaches a predeterminednumber. Thereby, the CPU 31 stops the driving of the hopper 40 throughthe hopper driving circuit 41 and ends the “medal payout process”.

In the followings, it is described a control process of the main controlcircuit 71 with reference to main flow charts shown in FIGS. 13 to 15.

First, the CPU 31 carries out an initialization process when a game isstarted (step S1). Specifically, the CPU initializes a memory content ofthe RAM 33 and communication data. Subsequently, the CPU erases theinformation of a predetermined memory area (for example, an area formemorizing an internal win) of the RAM 33 when a game is over (step S2).

More specifically, the CPU erases the data of a writable area of the RAM33 used for a previous game, writes parameters necessary for a next gameinto a writable area of the RAM 33 and indicates a start address of asequence program of a next game. Next, the CPU determines whether “30seconds” have elapsed after a previous game was over, i.e., after allthe reels 3L, 3C, 3R stopped (step S3). If a result of the determinationis “YES”, the CPU transmits a “demo display command” requesting thesub-control circuit 72 to display a “demo image” (step S4). If a resultof the determination is “NO” in the step S3, the CPU proceeds to a stepS5.

Next, the CPU 31 determines whether there is a request for the automaticinsertion of medals, i.e., whether a win of Replay has been made in theprevious game (step S5). If a result of the determination is “YES”, theCPU automatically inserts the medals as the requested insertion number(step S6) and proceeds to a step S8. If a result of the determination is“NO” in the step S5, the CPU determines whether there is an input fromthe medal sensor 22S or BET switches 11 to 13 (step S7). If a result ofthe determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S8, otherwiseproceeds to the step S3.

In a step S8, the CPU transmits a “BET command” to the sub-controlcircuit 72, which represents that the BET switches 11 to 13 is pushed ora medal is inserted. Subsequently, the CPU determines whether there isan input from the start switch 6S resulting from the manipulation of thestart lever 6 (step S9). If a result of the determination is “YES”, theCPU proceeds to a step S10, otherwise repeats the step S9. In the stepS10, the CPU samples a random number for lottery. The random numbersampled in this process is used in a probability lottery process whichwill be described later. Subsequently, the CPU carries out a gamingstatus supervisory process (step S11).

Next, the CPU 31 carries out a probability lottery process (step S12).In the probability lottery process, the CPU determines an internal winusing the probability lottery tables shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B to 10 inaccordance with the random number sampled in the process of the step S10and the game mode. For example, when a value of the RT counter is “1 ormore”, the CPU determines an internal win, based on the probabilitylottery table shown in FIG. 10. In the probability lottery process, theCPU shifts the game mode to the RB carryover mode if an internal win ofRB or SB is determined in the CT game mode. When an internal win is CT,the CPU carries out a distribution to CT1 or CT2, based on the lottery,the game-related information, the game operation of the player, etc.

Next, the CPU carries out a process of determining a win for reel-stop(step S13). In the process of determining a win for reel-stop, the CPUdetermines a win for reel-stop in accordance with the internal windetermined in the step S12 and the game mode, using the selection tableof a win for reel-stop shown in FIG. 11. The CPU selects a pay line atwhich a symbol combination corresponding to the win for reel-stop willbe arranged. Continuously, the CPU carries out a stop table selectingprocess (step S14) and proceeds to a step S15.

In the step S15, the CPU carries out a three-color LED control process.Specifically, the CPU controls the lamp driving circuit 45 so that theLED corresponding to the internal win determined in the step S12, amongthe three-color LEDs L1 to L11, is turned on, and proceeds to a stepS16.

In the step S16 of FIG. 14, the CPU transmits a “start command” to thesub-control circuit 72. The “start command” includes the informationabout the internal win, the win for reel-stop, the game mode, etc.Subsequently, the CPU determines whether the delay cancellation flag isON, i.e., whether it is under delay cancellation section (step S17). Ifa result of the determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S20,otherwise proceeds to the step S18. In the step S18, the CPU determineswhether “4.1 seconds” have elapsed after a game is started. If a resultof the determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S20, otherwiseproceeds to the step S19.

In the step S19, the CPU consumes a game start waiting time and thenproceeds to the step S20. Specifically, the CPU carries out the waitingprocess during the period from after the previous game has started untila predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed. The CPUdoes not carry out a process (step S21) of rotating the reels 3L, 3C, 3R(step S21) during the period from after the previous game has started inthe step S19 until a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) haselapsed, so that it controls a progress speed of the game (for example,the number of unit games which can be played per a unit time), therebysuppressing the passion for gambling.

In the RT game mode, it is higher a probability that a win of Reply willbe made or that an internal win of Replay will be determined, ascompared to the base game mode, etc. When a win of Replay is made, theplayer can play a next game without inserting or consuming the medals.However, the player cannot acquire a medal. Accordingly, even when theprogress speed of the game becomes higher in the RT game mode in which awinning probability of Replay is high, there is no worry about incitingthe passion for gambling of the player.

Therefore, the CPU does not carry out the determination in the step S18and the step S19 in the RT game mode. In other words, the CPU appliesthe delay cancellation section to the RT game mode. By doing so, theplayer can make progress a game in the RT game mode more smoothly, ascompared to the base game mode.

In the step S20, the CPU 31 sets one game supervisory timer. The gamesupervisory timer in the step S20 includes an automatic stop timer forautomatically stopping the reels 3L, 3C, 3R without pushing the stopbuttons 7L, 7C, 7R. Continuously, the CPU carries out a process ofrotating the reels 3L, 3C, 3R (step S21) and proceeds to a step S22.

In the step S22, the CPU 31 determines whether the stop button is “ON”or not. Specifically, the CPU determines whether any one of the stopbuttons 7L, 7C, 7R is pushed. If a result of the determination is “YES”,the CPU proceeds to a step S24, otherwise proceeds to a step S23. In thestep S23, the CPU determines whether the automatic stop timer is “0” ornot. If a result of the determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to astep S24, otherwise proceeds to the step S22.

In the step S24, the CPU 31 carries out a sliding-symbol-numberdetermining process which will be described with reference to FIG. 16.Continuously, the CPU rotates and then stops the reels 3L, 3C, 3Rcorresponding to the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R which are pushed as thenumber of sliding symbols determined in the step S24 (step S25). Then,the CPU determines whether all the reels are stopped or not (step S25).If a result of the determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a stepS27, otherwise proceeds to the step S22. In the step S27, the CPUtransmits a “all reel stop command” to the sub-control circuit 72, whichrepresents that all the reels are stopped, and then proceeds to a stepS28.

In the step S28 of FIG. 15, the CPU carries out a winning retrieval. Thewinning retrieval is meant by setting a winning flag for identifying awin based on the stop mode of the symbol in the display windows 4L, 4C,4R. Specifically, the CPU identifies a win, based on the code numbers ofthe symbols arranged along the center line 8 c and the winningdetermining table. Continuously, the CPU determines whether the winningflag is normal or not (step S29). Specifically, when a win is “Losing”,the CPU determines that it is “normal (YES)”, irrespective of the gamemode. When the win is included in a win for determination, the CPUdetermines that it is “normal (YES)”, irrespective of the game mode.

When the win actually made is not included in the win for determination,when the game mode is a game mode except the CG mode and the SCG mode,the CPU determines that it is “illegal (NO)”. When the win actually madeis not included in the win for determination, when the game mode is theCG mode or the SCG mode, if the win is the bonus (BB, CT, SCT, RB, SB,etc.) or Replay, the CPU determines that it is “illegal (NO)”. When thewin actually made is not included in the win for determination, when thegame mode is the CG mode or the SCG mode, if the win actually made is awin except the bonus (BB, CT, SCT, RB, SB, etc.) and Replay, the CPUdetermines that it is “normal (YES)”.

The win for determination in the process of the step S29 includes theinternal win resulting from the probability lottery process (the stepS12 in FIG. 13), and the internal carryover win resulting from theupdate of the game mode (a step S34 in FIG. 15) in accordance with thegame mode, the internal win, the win actually made, etc.

For example, when Small Win of Bell is determined as an internal win inthe probability lottery process (step S13 in FIG. 13) of a unit gameunder BB carryover mode, the win for determination in the game is BB andSmall Win of Bell. When Small Win of Watermelon is determined as aninternal win in the probability lottery process of a unit game underbase game mode, the win for determination in the game is Small Win ofWatermelon. The win for reel-stop resulting from the determination ofthe win for reel-stop (step S13 in FIG. 13) is not included in the winfor determination.

If a result of the determination in the step S29 is “NO”, the CPUdisplays an illegal error (step S30). In this case, the game is stopped.If a result of the determination in the step S29 is “YES”, the CPUcredits or pays out the medals depending on the win actually made andthe game mode (step S31). Continuously, the CPU updates the acquirednumber (step S32).

Next, the CPU 31 carries out a RT control process which will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 17, and then proceeds to a step S34. Inthe step S34, the CPU updates the game mode, based on the game mode, theinternal win, the win actually made, etc. Specifically, when an internalwin of BB, CT or RB is determined, the CPU shifts the game mode to thecarryover mode and sets one of BB, CT and RB corresponding to thecarryover mode as an internal carryover win. When a win of BB is made,the CPU updates the game mode to the BB game mode, when a win of CT ismade, the CPU updates the game mode to the CT game mode, and when a winof RB is made, the CPU updates the game mode to the RB game mode. In themean time, when a win of BB, RB or CT is made during the RT game mode ordelay cancellation section, the CPU shifts the game mode to the BB gamemode, the RB game mode or the CT game mode, respectively.

In the step S34, when a win of SCT or SB is made, the CPU updates thegame mode to the SCG mode or the SB game mode, respectively. When a winof a bonus (BB, CT, RB, etc.) is made, the CPU erases the internalcarryover win and updates the game mode to the base game mode, etc. fromthe SB game mode or SCG mode. When a win of Replay is made, the CPUstores the information representing that the win actually made isReplay. Based on this information, the CPU determines whether theautomatic insertion of medals is carried out (step S5 in FIG. 13) when anext game is started. When the determination in the step S5 is carriedout, the CPU erases the information representing that the win actuallymade is Replay.

Next, the CPU 31 transmits a command including the information of thewin actually made to the sub-control circuit 72 and proceeds to a stepS36. In the step S36, the CPU determines whether the current game modeis the RB game mode generated during the base game mode. If a result ofthe determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S37, otherwiseproceeds to a step S38.

In the step S37, the CPU carries out a RB game mode control process andproceeds to the step S2 in FIG. 13. In the RB game mode control processof the step S37, the CPU updates the data of the number of games and thenumber of times when a win is made and determines whether the RB gamemode is maintained or shifted to the base game mode, based on theinformation about the number of times.

If a result of the determination in the step S36 is “NO”, the CPUdetermines whether the current game mode is the CT game mode (step S38).If a result of the determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a stepS39, otherwise proceeds to a step S40.

In the step S39, the CPU carries out a CT game mode control process andproceeds to the step S2. In the CT game mode control process of the stepS39, the CPU updates the information of the acquired number, shifts thegame mode between the CT base game mode and the CT mode, and determineswhether it is shifted to the base game mode, based on the acquirednumber.

If a result of the determination in the step S38 is “NO”, the CPUdetermines whether the current game mode is the BB game mode (step S40).If a result of the determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a stepS41, otherwise proceeds to the step S2 in FIG. 13.

In the step S41, the CPU carries out a BB game mode control process andproceeds to a step S42. In the BB game mode control process of the stepS41, the CPU updates the information of the acquired number, shifts thegame mode to the RB game mode from the BB base game mode, and determineswhether it is shifted to the base game mode, based on the acquirednumber.

Next, in the step S42, the CPU determines whether it is under RB gamemode. If a result of the determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to astep S43, otherwise proceeds to a step S44.

In the step S43, the CPU carries out a RB game mode control process andproceeds to a step S44. In the RB game mode control process of the stepS43, the CPU updates the data of the number of games and the number oftimes when a win is made and determines whether the RB game mode ismaintained or shifted to the BB base game mode, based on the informationof the acquired number.

In the step S44, the CPU determines whether it is at the time when theBB game mode is over, i.e., whether the shift condition of the BB gamemode is fulfilled or not. If a result of the determination is “YES”, theCPU proceeds to a step S45, otherwise proceeds to the step S2 in FIG.13. In the step S45, since it is at the time when the BB game mode isover, the CPU makes the delay cancellation flag ON to shift the gamemode to the delay cancellation section, and proceeds to a step S46. Inthe step S46, the CPU sets “100” in the RT counter to generate the RTgame mode, and proceeds to the step S2 in FIG. 13.

In the followings, it is described a sliding-symbol-number determiningprocess which is carried out in the step S24 of FIG. 14, with referenceto FIG. 16.

First, the CPU 31 determines whether the current game mode is the CGmode or the SCG mode (step S51). If a result of the determination is“YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S52, otherwise proceeds to a step S56.In the step S52, the CPU sets the maximum number of sliding symbols tobe “1”, and proceeds to a step S53. In the step S53, the CPU determineswhether the win for reel-stop includes Small Win. If a result of thedetermination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S54, otherwiseproceeds to a step S57.

In the step S54, the CPU determines whether this stop control of thereel corresponds to the first stop operation. If a result of thedetermination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S57, otherwiseproceeds to a step S55. In the step S55, the CPU sets the number ofsliding symbols to be “0” when the win for reel-stop during the CG modeor SCG mode is all Small Win and the stop control of the reelcorresponds to the second or third stop operation, and proceeds to astep S58.

If a result of the determination in the step S51 is “NO”, the CPU setsthe maximum number of sliding symbols to be “4” when the game mode is agame mode except the CG mode or SCG mode (step S56), and proceeds to astep S57. In the step S57, the CPU determines the number of slidingsymbols, based on the BET number, the game mode, the internal win, thewin for reel-stop, the maximum number of sliding symbols, etc., andproceeds to the step S25 in FIG. 14.

When a result of the determination in the step S53 is “NO” and the stepS57 is thus carried out, it is carried out an attraction-in control of asymbol combination corresponding to a win except Small Win within arange of the maximum number of sliding symbols “1” with regard to thestop controls of all the reels corresponding to the first to third stopoperations. In other words, it is carried out a control for making thewin at a maximum. In the determination of the step S53, it may bedetermined whether the win for reel-stop includes Small Win except theSmall Win of JAC.

When a result of the determination in the step S54 is “YES” and the stepS57 is thus carried out, it is carried out the stop control within therange of the maximum number of sliding symbols “1”, regarding only forthe stop control of the reel corresponding to the first stop operation.In the stop control, it may be determined through the lottery that asymbol corresponding to which win will have a priority.

In the step S58, the CPU 31 determines whether this stop control of thereel corresponds to the third stop operation. If a result of thedetermination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S59, otherwiseproceeds to the step S25 in FIG. 14. In the step S59, the CPU determineswhether the win actually made is matched to the win for reel-stop. If aresult of the determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S60,otherwise proceeds to the step S25 in FIG. 14. In the step S60, the CPUsets the number of sliding symbols to be “1” to avoid an erroneous winof Replay, and proceeds to the step S25 in FIG. 25.

In the followings, it is described a RT control process which is carriedout in the step S33 of FIG. 15, with reference to FIG. 17.

First, the CPU 31 determines whether a value of the RT counter is “1 ”(step S61). If a result of the determination is “YES”, the CPU proceedsto a step S62, otherwise proceeds to the step S34 in FIG. 15. In thestep S62, the CPU subtracts “1” from the value of the RT counter andproceeds to a step S63.

In the step S63, the CPU determines whether the value of the RT counteris “0” or not, i.e., whether the RT game mode is over. If a result ofthe determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S64, otherwiseproceeds to the step S34 in FIG. 15. In the step S64, the CPU makes thedelay cancellation flag OFF to end the delay cancellation section, andproceeds to the step S34 in FIG. 15.

In the followings, it is described a period intervention process withreference to FIG. 18. The period intervention process is an interveningprocess in a predetermined main process of the main control circuit 71with a predetermined interval (for example, 1.8773 msec).

First, the CPU 31 evacuates the data stored in a register (step S71) andproceeds to a step S72. In the step S72, the CPU sets the informationabout the right reel 3R in “reel identification information” which isstored in the RAM 33 and represents the information about the reels 3L,3C, 3R, and proceeds to a step S73.

In the step S73, the CPU carries out the reel control process for theright reel 3R and proceeds to a step S74. More specifically, the CPUcarries out the rotation start, the acceleration control, the constantspeed control, the speed-reduction control, the stop control, etc. forthe right reel 3R. In the step S74, the CPU sets the information aboutthe center reel 3C in the “reel identification information” and proceedsto a step S75.

In the step S75, the CPU carries out the reel control process for thecenter reel 3C and proceeds to a step S76. More specifically, the CPUcarries out the rotation start, the acceleration control, the constantspeed control, the speed-reduction control, the stop control, etc. forthe center reel 3C. In the step S76, the CPU sets the information aboutthe left reel 3L in the “reel identification information” and proceedsto a step S77.

In the step S77, the CPU carries out the reel control process for theleft reel 3L and proceeds to a step S78. More specifically, the CPUcarries out the rotation start, the acceleration control, the constantspeed control, the speed-reduction control, the stop control, etc. forthe left reel 3L.

In the step S78, the CPU carries out an electromagnetic counter controlprocess and proceeds to a step S79. Specifically, when a medal isinserted into the medal insertion slot 22, the CPU controls a coinselector (not shown) for distributing a normal medal and an abnormalmedal.

In the step S79, the CPU carries out a lamp-on and off control process,and proceeds to a step S80. Specifically, the CPU carries out thecontrol for turning on the lamps provided to the front of the cabinet 2.

In the step S80, the CPU carries out a 7SEG driving control process, andproceeds to a step S81. Specifically, the CPU controls the delaycancellation game-number display unit 19 to display the RT countervalue, etc.

In the step S81, the CPU carries out a communication data transmittingprocess, and proceeds to a step S82. Specifically, the CPU transmits thevarious commands to the sub-control circuit 72. In the step S82, the CPUrestores the evacuated register to the original state.

In the followings, it is described a display control process of thesub-control circuit 72 with reference to FIG. 19.

First, the sub-control circuit 72 determines whether it has received thestart command or not (step S91). If a result of the determination is“YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S92. In the step S92, the CPU controlsthe liquid crystal display device 5 to display the symbol combinationcorresponding to the internal win on the display screen 5 a, andproceeds to the step S91.

In the followings, it is described a gaming machine according to asecond embodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS. 20 to 23.

In the second embodiment, the structures of the gaming machine and theelectrical circuit, etc. are same as those of the first embodiment.However, the display modes in the internal win notifying area (effectarea) 23 and the display screen 5 a of the gaming machine according tothe second embodiment are different from the first embodiment.

The gaming machine of the second embodiment notifies the player of theinformation about the carryover mode or internal win. The carryover modeis notified by turning on the three-color LED corresponding to a windifferent from a win determined as an internal win, or displaying asymbol combination corresponding to a win different from a windetermined as an internal win on the display screen 5 a. In other words,the carryover mode is notified through a mismatch of the stop mode ofthe symbols in the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R and the display content ofthe internal win notifying area 23 or display screen 5 a.

The gaming machine of the second embodiment determines a start time ofthe information display in the internal win notifying area 23 and thedisplay screen 5 a, for each of the games. In the second embodiment, itis adopted a start operation time, a first stop operation time, a secondstop operation time and a third stop operation time (which will becollectively referred to as “game operation time”) as the start time.

The display contents in the internal win notifying area 23 and thedisplay screen 5 a are changed at the game operation time. For example,the three-color LEDs are turned off after the game operation time. Aprocess of turning off the three-color LEDs is carried out at the timingafter the step S25 and before the step S26 in FIG. 14.

In the gaming machine of the second embodiment, the internal winnotifying area 23 and the display screen 5 a notify the player of theinformation same as the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 shows the display modes of the internal win notifying area 23and the display screen 5 a in a game in which an internal win of Replayis determined under carryover mode. The display mode corresponds to alights-out pattern 1 which will be described later.

FIG. 20 (1) shows a display mode after the start operation. In theinternal win notifying area 23, the three-color LEDs L1, L4, L5, L9respectively corresponding to Losing, Small Win of Bell, Small Win ofWatermelon and RB as the internal win are turned on. In the displayscreen 5 a, it is displayed characters or symbol combinationsrepresenting Losing, Small Win of Bell, Small Win of Watermelon and RB.

FIG. 20 (2) shows a display mode after the first stop operation. In theinternal win notifying area 23, the three-color LEDs L1, L4, L5respectively corresponding to Losing, Small Win of Bell and Small Win ofWatermelon as the internal win are turned on. In the display screen 5 a,it is displayed characters or symbol combinations representing Losing,Small Win of Bell and Small Win of Watermelon.

FIG. 20 (3) shows a display mode after the second stop operation. In theinternal win notifying area 23, the three-color LEDs L1, L4 respectivelycorresponding to Losing and Small Win of Bell as the internal win areturned on. In the display screen 5 a, it is displayed characters orsymbol combinations representing Losing and Small Win of Bell.

FIG. 20 (4) shows a display mode after the third stop operation. In theinternal win notifying area 23, the three-color LED L1 corresponding toLosing as the internal win is turned on. In the display screen 5 a, itis displayed characters representing Losing.

Basically, since the internal win of Replay is determined after thethird stop operation, the symbol combination corresponding to Replay isstopped. In the mean time, in the internal win notifying area 23 ordisplay screen 5 a, it is displayed the information representing thatthe internal win is Losing.

The player can perceive the carryover mode, based on the mismatch of thestop mode of the symbols in the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R and thedisplay contents of the internal win notifying area 23 or display screen5 a. The player can perceive whether a winning symbol combination ismade or not when all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped after carrying outthe third stop operation. Accordingly, based on the relationship betweenthe stop mode of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R after the third stop operation andthe display contents of the internal win notifying area 23 or displayscreen 5 a, it is transmitted the information about whether it is undercarryover mode or not.

FIG. 21 shows a lights-out pattern determining table of the gamingmachine according to the second embodiment.

The lights-out pattern determining table includes the information of thelighting-up patterns of the three-color LEDs in each of the lights-outpatterns 1 to 9. Specifically, the table includes the information of thenumber of the three-color LEDs which are turned on after each of thegame operation time in the respective lights-out patterns 1 to 9. Inother words, the respective lights-out patterns can be identifiedthrough the number of the three-color LEDs which are turned on aftereach of the game operation time. The three-color LED which will beturned on is determined in FIG. 22, which will be described later.

The maximum number of three-color LEDs which are turned on in therespective lights-out patterns is referred to as the “maximumlighting-up number”. The maximum lighting-up number of the lights-outpattern 1 is “4”. The maximum lighting-up number of the lights-outpattern 6 is “2”. In the respective lights-out patterns of thisembodiment, the three-color LED, which is turned off under state thatthe three-color LEDs are turned on as the maximum lighting-up number, isnot turned on even after any one of the game operation time.

For example, in the lights-out pattern 1, four of the three-color LEDsare turned on after the start operation is carried out. After the firststop operation, one of the four LEDs turned on is turned off. After thesecond stop operation, one of the three LEDs turned on is turned off.After the third stop operation, one of the two LEDs turned on is turnedoff.

For example, in the lights-out pattern 9, all of the three-color LEDs L1to L11 are turned off from the start operation to the second stopoperation. After the third stop operation, one of the three-color LEDsis turned on.

FIG. 22 shows a three-color LED control process for determining thelights-out pattern of the gaming machine according to the secondembodiment.

First, the CPU 31 determines whether an effect is carried out, i.e.,whether a notification process is carried out in the internal winnotifying area 23 based on the game mode, the sampling of the randomnumber, etc. (step S101), and proceeds to a step S102. In the step S102,the CPU determines whether the notification process is determined. If aresult of the determination is “YES”, the CPU proceeds to a step S103,otherwise proceeds to the step S16 in FIG. 14.

In the step S103, the CPU selects one of the lights-out patterns 1 to 9,based on the game mode, the sampling of the random number, etc., andproceeds to a step S104. In the step S104, the CPU determines thethree-color LEDs as the maximum lighting-up number of the three-colorLEDs in the lights-out pattern determined, considering the internal winin this game, and proceeds to a step S105. Specifically, the CPUdetermines it so that it is included in the three-color LEDs turning onthe three-color LED corresponding to the internal win.

In the step S105, the CPU determines whether the current game mode isunder carryover mode. If a result of the determination is “YES”, the CPUproceeds to a step S106, otherwise proceeds to a step S107.

In the step S106, the CPU determines the three-color LED (hereinafter,referred to as “LED lighting-up mode”) which is allowed under turned-onstate after each of the game operation time so that the three-color LEDcorresponding to the internal win after the third stop operation is notturned on, and proceeds to the step S16 in FIG. 14.

In the step S107, the CPU determines the three-color LED which isallowed under turned-on state after each of the game operation time sothat the three-color LED corresponding to the internal win after thethird stop operation is turned on, and proceeds to the step S16 in FIG.14.

As a result of the lottery in the step S101, the information about thedetermined lights-out pattern and the LED lighting-up mode istransmitted to the sub-control circuit 72 by the start command.

In the followings, it is described a display control process of thesub-control circuit 72 in the gaming machine according to the secondembodiment, with reference to FIG. 23.

First, the sub-control circuit 72 determines whether it has received thestart command (step S111). If a result of the determination is “YES”, itproceeds to a step S112, otherwise proceeds to a step S114.

In the step S112, the sub-control circuit determines the display mode ofthe display screen 5 a at each of the game operation time, and proceedsto a step S113. Specifically, the sub-control circuit determines thecharacters or symbol combination corresponding to a win which isdisplayed on the display screen 5 a at each of the game operation time,based on the determined lights-out pattern and the LED lighting-up mode,as a result of the lottery in the step S101 which is included in thestart command.

In the step S113, the sub-control circuit displays the combination ofcharacters or symbols on the display screen 5 a, based on the determineddisplay mode, and proceeds to the step S111. By the process in the stepS113, the display contents of the display screen 5 a are as shown inFIG. 20 (1), for example.

In the step S114, the sub-control circuit determines whether it hasreceived the reel stop command. If a result of the determination is“YES”, the sub-control circuit proceeds to a step S115, otherwiseproceeds to the step S111. In the step S115, the sub-control circuitupdates the display of the display screen 5 a, based on the display modedetermined in the step S112, and proceeds to the step S111. By theprocess in the step S115, the display contents of the display screen 5 aare as shown in FIGS. 20B to 20D, for example.

In the second embodiment, the three-color LEDs are provided and theinformation of the internal win is transferred to the player by thethree-color LEDs turned on. However, the invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the information may be transferred by any unitsuch as 7-segment LED, colors turned on by the LED, and the like. Forexample, it is provided LEDs which emit lights of red, green, blue,yellow-green, blue-green, magenta and white colors through combinationsof light-emitting devices of red, green and blue colors. As shown inFIG. 24, it may be structured such that a game mode is matched to acolor emitted by the LED and the information of the game mode istransferred depending on the colors. The game modes may be identified bya selection probability of the internal win, a selection probability ofthe win for reel-stop, the maximum number of sliding symbols, etc.

In the above embodiments, it has been adopted the internal win notifyingarea 23 as the first information transfer device and the liquid crystaldisplay device 5 as the second information transfer device, and both theinternal win notifying area 23 and the liquid crystal display device 5are a visual notification unit. However, the invention is not limitedthereto. For example, it may be adopted the audible notification unitsuch as speakers as the first and second information transfer devices.

The one of the first and second information transfer devices may be setas the visual notification unit and the other may be set as the audiblenotification unit. By doing so, it is possible to increase the diversityof games and to provide a gaming machine capable of continuing a gameeven when an unexpected situation occurs.

In the above embodiment, it has been adopted the internal win as theinformation about the game. However, the invention is not limitedthereto. For example, it may be adopted the win for reel-stop, theinternal carryover win, the game mode, the value of the RT counter, thestate of the delay cancellation flag, the push order of the stop buttons7L, 7C, 7R, the symbol combination which is allowed to be arranged atthe activated line, the maximum number of sliding symbols, and acombination of two or more of these information including theinformation of the internal win. By doing so, it is possible to increasethe diversity of the game.

In the above embodiments, the three-color LEDs L1 to L11 are matched tothe types of the win one by one. However, the invention is not limitedthereto. One transfer mode (for example, display mode) of theinformation transfer devices (first information transfer device, secondinformation transfer device, etc.) such as three-color LEDs L1 to L11may be matched to two or more types of the win. By doing so, it ispossible to change the reliability of the information to be transferredand to increase the interest in the game. The reliability is aprobability that the transferred information will be correct.

Two or more transfer modes of the information transfer device (firstinformation transfer device, second information transfer device, etc.)corresponding to one win may be provided. By doing so, it is possible toincrease the diversity of the game and the interest in the game. Theplayer can enjoy the game much more by memorizing the types of thetransfer mode.

In the above embodiments, the start time of the information transfer ofthe first information transfer device (for example, internal winnotifying area 23) has been approximately same as that of theinformation transfer of the second information transfer device (forexample, liquid crystal display device 5). However, the invention is notlimited thereto. For example, the start time of the information transferof the second information transfer device may be equal to or later thanthe start time of the information transfer of the first informationtransfer device. By doing so, it is possible to provide a gaming machine(for example, a gaming machine having a constant ability to pay out theballs, irrespective of on and off of the second control circuit board)wherein when it is carried out an effect (information transfer, etc.) bythe second information transfer device, the ability to pay out the ballsis not changed as compared to a case of no effect. In addition, since itis possible to increase the modes of the information transfer by makingthe notification start time different, a gaming machine can be providedwhich makes the player not lose interest in the game.

In the above embodiments, both the first and second information transferdevices transfer the internal win and the information having the sameamount of information. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Inother words, the amounts of information (for example, the number ofinformation types) transferred by the two devices may be different. Forexample, the amount of information transferred by the first informationtransfer device may be larger than the amount of information transferredby the second information transfer device. Specifically, it may be suchstructured that the first information transfer device transfers theinformation about the internal win and the game mode and the secondinformation transfer device transfers the information about the internalwin. By doing so, even when it is carried out an effect (informationtransfer, etc.) by the second information transfer device, it ispossible to provide a gaming machine having the constant ability to payout the balls as compared to a case of no effect.

It may be such structured that the start time of the informationtransfer by the second information transfer device is equal to or laterthan that of the information transfer by the first information transferdevice and the amount of information transferred by the firstinformation transfer device is larger than the amount of informationtransferred by the second information transfer device. By doing so, evenwhen it is carried out an effect (information transfer, etc.) by thesecond information transfer device, it is possible to provide a gamingmachine having the constant ability to pay out the balls as compared toa case of no effect.

In the first embodiment, the information of the internal win has beentransferred by turning on one of the three-color LEDs corresponding tothe internal win or displaying the one symbol combination correspondingto the internal win. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Inother words, the information of a win determined as the internal win maybe transferred together with the information of a win not determined asthe internal win. For example, the three-color LED corresponding to theinternal win or the three-color LEDs different from it may be turned on,or the types of symbol combinations including the symbol combinationcorresponding to the internal win may be displayed on the display screen5 a. By doing so, the reliability that the transferred win is aninternal win can be less than 100% and the variety of games isincreased, thereby increasing the interest in the game.

The reliability that the win transferred by the first informationtransfer device is an internal win may be higher than the reliability ofthe second information transfer device. For example, the three-colorLEDs different from the three-color LED corresponding to the internalwin may be turned on in addition to the three-color LED corresponding tothe internal win (in this case, the reliability is 50%), or the fourtypes of symbol combinations including the symbol combinationcorresponding to the internal win may be displayed on the display screen5 a (in this case, the reliability is 25%). By doing so, even when it iscarried out an effect (information transfer, etc.) by the secondinformation transfer device, it is possible to provide a gaming machinehaving the constant ability to pay out the balls as compared to a caseof no effect.

The first information transfer device (first information transfer unit)and the second information transfer device (second information transferunit) may be embodied with a single device or unit, for example onespeaker and one display device. For example, when the first informationtransfer device and the second information transfer device are embodiedwith one display device, the display area thereof may be divided into anarea corresponding to the first information transfer device and an areacorresponding to the second information transfer device.

In the first embodiment, the internal win is notified by the turned-onLED of the three-color LEDs L1 to L11. However, the information (gamemode, etc.) related to a separate game different from the internal winmay be notified by the lighting-up timing thereof. For example, thethree-color LED corresponding to the internal win may be turned on atthe start time in the BB carryover mode, at the first stop operationtime in the CT carryover mode, at the second stop operation time in theRB carryover mode and at the third stop operation time in the game modeexcept the carryover mode. By doing so, since the information pieces canbe notified by controlling the control target (three-color LEDs L1 toL11), it is possible to provide an interesting gaming machine whilealleviating the burden of the main control circuit 71 having the limitedfunctions due to the law.

The game-related information may be notified by the operation start timefor the control target of the main control circuit 71. For example, oneLED may be provided as the first information transfer device and theinformation of the internal win may be notified at the lighting-up timeof the LED. Specifically, the LED may be turned on at the start timewhen the internal win is Replay, at the first stop operation time whenthe internal win is Small Win of Bell, at the second stop operation timewhen the internal win is SCT and at the third stop operation time whenthe internal win is BB. By doing so, it is possible to increase theinterest in the game.

It may be such structured that the main control circuit 71 controls thethree-color LEDs L1 to L11 to notify (i.e., display, transfer, etc.) theinformation of a combination corresponding to an internal win and thesub-control circuit 72 notifies the information of a combination notcorresponding to the internal win. It may be such structured that themain control circuit 71 controls the three-color LEDs L1 to L11 tonotify (i.e., display, transfer, etc.) the information of a win notcorresponding to an internal win and the sub-control circuit 72 notifiesthe information of a win corresponding to the internal win. In otherwords, one of the first and second information transfer devices maytransfer the information (for example, current game mode) correspondingto the game-related information and the other may transfer theinformation (for example, a game mode different form the current gamemode) not corresponding to the game-related information. By doing so, itis possible to increase the types of the information transfer modes,thereby increasing the interest in the game.

As described above, according to the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment,in the Replay mode of normal probability such as base game mode, thereel rotating process (step S21 in FIG. 14) is not carried out until atleast “4.1 seconds” have elapsed after the previous game has started.For example, the reel rotating process is delayed. In the mean time, inthe delay cancellation section (RT game mode in the embodiment of theinvention), it is possible to carry out the reel rotating process,irrespective of the time after the previous unit game has started.Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the stress of the player due tothe waiting until all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R starts to rotate after thestart lever 6 is operated in the RT game mode.

In the delay cancellation section (RT game mode) of the embodiment,since the probability that a win of Replay will be made is increased by“about two times” as compared to the Replay mode of normal probability,the consumption of medals is suppressed to about a half of theconsumption in the Replay mode of normal probability. Accordingly, eventhough the shortest time per a unit game in the delay cancellationsection (RT game mode) is, for example about a half (for example, “2.1seconds”) of the Replay mode of normal probability, there may be a casewhere an amount of medals consumed for a predetermined period in thedelay cancellation section (RT game mode) is approximately same as anamount of medals consumed for a predetermined period in the Replay modeof normal probability.

The probability that Replay will be determined as an internal win orthat Replay will be made in the Replay mode of normal probability andthe probability that Replay will be determined as an internal win in theRT game mode are not limited to the embodiment and may be properlymodified. The shortest time per a unit game in the Replay mode of normalprobability is not limited to “4.1 seconds” and may be suitably changed.

It has been adopted the time from after the start lever 6 is manipulatedin one unit game until the start lever 6 is manipulated in a next unitgame, as the time per a unit game. However, the invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the reel rotating process may be carried out evenbefore “4.1 seconds” have elapsed after the start operation has beenoperated through the start lever 6 in the previous unit game underReplay mode of normal probability, and the push operation of the stopbuttons 7L, 7C, 7R may be annulled or delayed until “4.1 seconds” haveelapsed. The start operation with the start lever 6 may be annulled ordelayed. The delay of the start operation is meant that after apredetermined time has elapsed since the stop operation has been carriedout, the process related to the start operation is started.

It may be adopted the time from after all the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7Rhave been pushed in one unit game until a first one of the stop buttons7L, 7C, 7R is pushed in a next unit game, as the time per a unit game.

In the above embodiments, it has not been carried out the process (stepS20 in FIG. 14) of consuming the game start waiting time in the delaycancellation section (RT game mode). However, the invention is notlimited thereto. For example, the reel rotating process and the like maynot be carried out unless at least a specific time (for example, “2.1seconds”) has not elapsed after the previous game has started in thedelay cancellation section (RT game mode). In this case, it is preferredthat the shortest time in the delay cancellation section (RT game mode)is not over the shortest time in the Replay mode of normal probability.To the contrary, the shortest time per a unit game in the delaycancellation section (RT game mode) may be over the shortest time per aunit game in the Replay mode of normal probability. In this case, it ispossible to generate the modulations in the pace of the game, therebyincreasing the interest in the game.

In the delay cancellation section (RT game mode), not omitting the gamestart waiting time process, “2.1 seconds” may be set in the one gamesupervisory timer, rather than “4.1 seconds”, and then it may bedetermined whether the one game supervisory timer reaches “0” in thenext unit game.

The various modes may be applied as the start condition of the RT gamemode. For example, when the game mode is shifted to the RT game modeafter the BB game mode or CT game mode is over, the RT game mode servesas a so-called chance zone and the expectations of the player can bemaintained even after the BB game mode or CT game mode is over.

The various modes may be applied as the start condition of the delaycancellation section. For example, when the game mode is shifted to thedelay cancellation section after the BB game mode or CT game mode isover, the delay cancellation section serves as a so-called chance zoneand the expectations of the player can be maintained even after the BBgame mode or CT game mode is over.

When the RT game mode is generated, the reel control may be changed withthat of the previous game mode (for example, base game mode). Moespecifically, when an internal win of Replay is determined in the RTgame mode, the reel control may be changed so that Losing is alsoselected as the win for reel-stop. For example, the probability that awin of Replay will be made between the base game mode and the RT gamemode may be approximately same.

The lottery value of the probability lottery table such as theprobability that the internal win of Replay will be determined in the RTgame mode may be properly modified without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

As the start or ending condition of the RT game mode, it may be adoptedas follows: “the time when it is operated the condition device (forexample, win for determination) relating to the operation of the firsttype special single bonus (for example, RB) or single bonus continuousoperation device (for example, BB)”, “the time when it is displayed thecombination of symbols which allows the first type special single bonusor single bonus-continuous operation device to operate”, “the time whenit is over the operation of the first type special single bonus orsingle bonus-continuous operation device”, “the time when apredetermined symbol is displayed when the condition device relating tothe operation of the first type special single bonus or singlebonus-continuous operation device or the first type special single bonusor single bonus-continuous operation device is not operated”, “the timewhen it is obtained the game results of the predetermined number oftimes after it is over the operation of the first type special singlebonus or single bonus-continuous operation device”, “after apredetermined symbol is displayed when the condition device relating tothe operation of the first type special single bonus or singlebonus-continuous operation device or the first type special single bonusor single bonus continuous operation device is not operated” and “thetime when it is obtained the game results of the predetermined number oftimes”.

In the above embodiments, the RT game mode has been adopted as the delaycancellation section which is a section omitting the game start waitingtime process. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In otherwords, the game sections such as BB game mode, RB game mode, CT gamemode, SCG game mode and SB game mode may be respectively adopted as thedelay cancellation section. For example, since the payout or credit ofmedals is carried out in the very high probability in the RB game mode,it is expected that the necessary time per a unit game becomesrelatively longer as much as that. In addition, it is expected that manyunit games beyond necessity are prevented from being carried out eventhough the game start waiting time process is omitted, because it isended with the relative small number of games.

In the CG mode (including the SCG mode), since it is required for theplayer to have a high observation push skill, the time per a unit gametends to be relatively long. Accordingly, it can be expected that it isprevented many unit games from being carried out even though the gamestart waiting time process is omitted. The game mode waiting timeprocess may be carried out with the change of the reel control oromitted.

It may be changed the execution and omission of the game start waitingtime process, based on the number of games progressed, the elapsed time,the number of medals inserted, the payout number and the differencepayout number and a combination of the above, the game mode and thestate of reel control. The omission of the game start waiting timeprocess is meant by a waiting process of relatively short time, forexample.

In the above embodiments, although the delay cancellation section andthe RT game mode have simultaneously started by making the delaycancellation flag ON and setting “100” in the RT counter at the sametime, they may not start at the same time. Although the delaycancellation section and the RT game mode have simultaneously ended bymaking the delay cancellation flag OFF while the RT counter is changedto “0” from “1”, they may not end at the same time. In other words, inthe above embodiments, the delay cancellation section has continued forthe number of games same as the value of the RT counter. However, it maybe provided a dedicated counter for the delay cancellation section as aunit for counting the number of games and the game may be continuouslyprogressed, based on the dedicated counter.

When Small Win of Bell, Small Win of Watermelon, Group win and SB isdetermined as an internal win in the RT game mode, it may be shifted tothe Replay mode of normal probability. Thereby, the player can play thegame with tension or expectation because the player does not know whenthe RT game mode is over.

In the above embodiments, “100” has been set in the RT counter and thedelay cancellation flag has been to be ON, after the ending of the BBgame mode. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In otherwords, the number of RT games or the number of delay cancellation gamesmay not be fixed. For example, it may be applied to a mode in which alottery for shifting to the Replay mode of normal probability is carriedout every game. In this case, since the player can enjoy the variousgame situations, the interest in the game is increased.

The RT game mode may be ended when a predetermined win such as Small Winof Bell or Small Win of Watermelon is made. Thereby, the player canperceive, through the win actually made, the number of games continueduntil the RT game mode is ended, and the player's interest in the gamecan be increased. In this case, the number of games continued until theRT game mode is ended may be made to be different depending on the winactually made, likewise the case of adopting the internal win.

When Small Win of Watermelon is determined as an internal win, the gamemode may be shifted to the Replay mode of normal probability after 15minutes, for example. It may be adopted the number of times when a winis made or an internal win is determined. More specifically, when SmallWin of Watermelon is determined as an internal win, the game mode may beshifted to the Replay mode of normal probability after the number oftimes when a win is made or an internal win is determined reaches 30times. The number of times when a win is made or an internal win isdetermined may be limited to the number a specific win is made actuallyor determined as an internal win, or may not be limited thereto. Thespecific win may be one or more types.

Based on the number of games after the predetermined time when, forexample, a win of BB or a win of CT is made, the RT game mode may begenerated or it may be carried out a lottery determining whether the RTgame mode is made to occur or not. For example, the lottery may becarried out, based on the number of games from after the predeterminedtime, and at the same time, the lottery may be again carried out, basedon the number of games from after the lottery, if it is determined thatthe RT game mode is not made to occur. For example, the lottery may becarried out at 10 game intervals.

At a predetermined point in time, it may be determined whether the RTgame mode is made to occur, based on the information (for example, theacquired number, the net increased number, the payout number, etc.) ofat least one of the game value bet per a game by the player and the gamevalue paid out to the player. It may be adopted any point in time suchas the time when a win of BB is made, the time when a win of CT is madeand the time when power is supplied to the gaming machine 1, as thepredetermined point in time.

At a predetermined point in time, it may be determined whether the RTgame mode is made to occur, based on the number of cases where a win ofa predetermined win is made. As the predetermined win, it may be adoptedSmall Win, Replay, SCT, Small Win of JAC, BB, RB, SB, CT or acombination thereof. When the predetermined win is determined as a winfor reel-stop, it may be determined the push order of the stop buttons7L, 7C, 7R allowing the win for reels-stop and it may be carried out thedistribution of whether the predetermined win is actually made or notand the stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, based on a result of thedetermination and the push order of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R. In thiscase, it may be used for the determination the information about thenumber of cases where a predetermined win is made in succession, and thenumber of cases where a predetermined win is made in succession in agame in which the predetermined win is selected as a win for reel-stop.

At a predetermined point in time, the RT game mode may be determined,based on the number of cases where a predetermined win is determined asan internal win.

It may be determined whether the RT game mode is made to occur, based ona result of a lottery different from the lottery of the internal win orthe win for reel-stop.

The RT game mode may occur when a symbol combination corresponding to aspecific win (for example, Replay) is stopped, and it may be carried outa lottery for determining whether the RT game mode is made to occur.

The ending of the RT game mode may be determined, based on apredetermined condition. In this case, the shift time determined by theshift time determining unit may be determined by a predeterminedcondition such as 0 game or 100 games or a lottery for determining theshift time. For example, the probability lottery table storing the twoor more conditions of shift time (0 game, 30 games, 50 game, 100 games,150 games, etc.) is used and the condition of one shift time isdetermined by a random number lottery. It may be provided two or moreprobability lottery tables having different expected values regardingthe conditions of shift time, and a probability lottery table to be usedmay be determined by a lottery.

As the predetermined condition in the RT game mode, it may be adopted alottery result which is carried out in each game or predetermined gameunder RT game mode after the RT game mode has started, the number ofcases where a specific win or any one of wins is made in a specificsection, the elapsed time in a predetermined section, the number ofcases where one or more predetermined wins are determined as an internalwin in a specific section, the number of cases where a predetermined winis determined as a win for reel-stop, etc.

As the predetermined section, it may be adopted a section from after thethis RT game mode is started until the current, a section of theprevious RT game mode, a section from after the previous RT game mode isover until the current RT game mode is started, a game section from thepower supply to the gaming machine 1 to the current, a section of the RTgame modes which are generated after the power supply, a game section ofthe predetermined number of times before the current RT game mode isgenerated, etc.

As the predetermined condition in the RT game mode, it may be adopted acondition about the time, a condition related to an internal win of aspecific win, a condition related to a stop mode of a symbol in thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, 4R, a condition related to the number of gamesafter the RT game mode is started, etc. It may be such structured thatwhen the player completes a preset game condition (so-called “mission”),the RT game mode is continued, otherwise the RT game mode is ended whileconsidering a predetermined condition as achieved.

As the predetermined condition in the RT game mode, it may be adoptedthe total number of sliding symbols of one or more reels in a specificsection, the total time from after the stop operation is carried outuntil the reel is stopped, a pay line along which a symbol combinationrepresenting a win in a specific game (for example, a branch game ofwhether the RT game mode is over or not) is arranged, a condition (forexample, the acquired number, the net increased number, the payoutnumber, etc.) depending on at least one of the game value bet per a gameby the player in the specific section and the game value paid out to theplayer.

As the predetermined condition in the RT game mode, it may be adopted acondition related to a mode of the stop control for the reels 3L, 3C,3R. As the mode of the stop control, it may be adopted a mode of stopcontrol for distributing whether or not an achievement of a win forreel-stop in a push order of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R, a mode of apriority ranking of the number of sliding symbols when selecting thenumber of sliding symbols when a symbol combination corresponding to awin for reel-stop is stopped along the activated line, a mode regardingthe selection of the pay lines stopping a symbol combinationcorresponding to a win for reel-stop, etc.

With regard to a condition of a specific type (conditions about theacquired number, the payout number, the net increased number, etc.), oneof the stages (200 pieces, 300 pieces, 400 pieces, etc.) may bedetermined by the lottery, etc. as the ending or continuation conditionof the RT game mode. It may be adopted a condition of a probability thatit will be won in the lottery of the ending of the RT game mode, as thecondition of the specific type, and “ 1/10”, “ 1/100”, “ 1/500” and thelike may be adopted as the stages. A condition of time after the RT gamemode is started may be adopted as the condition of the specific type,and “10 seconds”, “30 seconds”, “50 seconds” and the like may be adoptedas the stages.

It may be adopted the conditions of the number of unit games in which apredetermined win is made after the RT game mode is started, the numberof games in which no win is made and the number of games in which apredetermined win is determined as an internal win, as the specificcondition, and “10 times”, “30 times”, “50 times” and the like may beadopted as the stages. It may be adopted the total number of slidingsymbols of one or more reels after the RT game mode is started, as thespecific condition, and “30 symbols”, “50 symbols”, “70 symbols” and thelike may be adopted as the stages. Further, it may be adopted the totalsliding time of one or more reels after the RT game mode is started(i.e., the time from after the stop button is pushed until the reel isstopped) as the condition of specific type, and “1 second”, “3 seconds”,“5 seconds” and the like may be adopted as the stages.

In the above embodiments, when the internal win of Replay is determinedin the CG or SCG mode, all Small Win has been selected as a win forreel-stop and it has been allowed a win of all Small Win. However, theinvention is not limited thereto. For example, a specific Small Win, BB,CT, RB, SB, SCT, Small Win of JAC or the like may be allowed. It may bechanged a win to be permitted, based on an operation timing, anoperation order, an operation direction, the number of operations of themanipulation unit (stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R, start lever 6, etc.)manipulated by the player. For example, when a predetermined stop button(for example, left stop button 7L) is pushed as the first stopoperation, Small Win of Replay may be selected as a win for reel-stop,and when a stop button different from the predetermined stop button ispushed as the first stop operation, all Small Win may be selected as awin for reel-stop.

In the above embodiments, the SCG mode which occurs with the win of theSCT under base game mode has been basically ended in the unit game.However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the numberof continuation games or the expected value thereof under SCG mode whichoccurs in the base game mode may be made to be different from the numberof continuation games or the expected value thereof under CG mode whichoccurs in the CT base game mode so that the SCG mode is continued overthe games.

The CT base game mode may be divided into any one of a high probabilitystate of CG occurrence (CG concentration mode) having a firstprobability that the CG mode will occur and a low probability state ofCG occurrence having a second probability smaller that the firstprobability. The RB game mode under BB game mode and the CG mode underCT game mode have been made to occur with the fulfillment of thespecific condition or the win of RB or SCT. However, the invention isnot limited thereto. In other words, it may be structured in such a waythat based on the number of games after predetermined time, for example,when a win of BB or CT is made, the high probability of CG occurrence,the RB game mode under BB game mode and the CG mode under CT game modemay be made to occur or it may be carried out a lottery for determiningwhether the modes are made to occur. For example, it may be carried outa lottery for determining whether the modes are made to occur, based onthe number of games after the predetermined time, and at the same time,and the lottery may be again carried out, based on the number of gamesafter the lottery, if it is determined the modes are made not to occurby the lottery. For example, the lottery may be carried out at 10 gameintervals.

At the predetermined point in time, it may be determined whether thehigh probability state of CG occurrence, the RB game mode under BB gamemode and the CG mode under CT game mode are made to occur, based on theinformation (for example, the acquired number, the net increased number,the payout number, etc.) depending on at least one of the game value betper a game by the player and the game value paid out to the player. Itmay be adopted any point in time such as the time when a win of BB ismade, the time when a win of CT is made and the time when power issupplied to the gaming machine 1, as the predetermined point in time.

At the predetermined point in time, it may be determined whether thehigh probability state of CG occurrence, the RB game mode under BB gamemode and the CG mode under CT game mode are determined to occur, basedon the number of cases where a predetermined win is made. As thepredetermined win, it may be adopted Small Win, Replay, Small Win ofJAC, BB, RB, SB, CT or a combination thereof. When the predetermined winis determined as a win for reel-stop, it may be determined the pushorder of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R allowing the win for reels-stop andit may be carried out the distribution of whether the predetermined winis actually made or not and the stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R,based on a result of the determination and the push order of the stopbuttons 7L, 7C, 7R by the player. In this case, it may be used for thedetermination the information about the number of cases where apredetermined win is made in succession, and the number of cases where apredetermined win is made in succession in a game in which thepredetermined win is selected as a win for reel-stop.

At the predetermined point in time, the high probability state of CGoccurrence, the RB game mode under BB game mode and the CG mode under CTgame mode may be determined, based on the number of cases where apredetermined win is determined as an internal win.

It may be determined whether the high probability state of CGoccurrence, the RB game mode under BB game mode and the CG mode under CTgame mode are determined to occur, based on a result of a lotterydifferent from the lottery of the internal win or the win for reel-stop.

In the above embodiments, it has been provided CT (White 7-White 7-White7) and SCT (Replay-Replay-Bell) as the win which provides an occasionfor the occurrence of the CT game mode and the SCG mode. However, theinvention is not limited thereto. For example, when a symbol combinationcorresponding to a specific win (for example, Replay) is stopped, it maybe carried out a lottery (i.e., lottery depending on a predeterminedcondition which will be described later) for determining whether the CTgame mode, the SCG mode, the CG mode are made to occur. In the lottery,it may be provided a symbol or symbol combination which provides anoccasion for a lottery of the occurrence of the CG mode. It may becarried out the lottery for determining whether the CT game mode, theSCG mode and the CG mode are made to occur, irrespective of the internalwin or win for reel-stop. These lotteries may be also carried out duringa period from the time when an internal win of Small Win, Replay and thelike is determined until the third stop operation time of a next game.

In the above embodiments, the CT game mode occurs when the win of CT ismade. The SCT game mode occurs when the win of SCT is made. In otherwords, when a win is made and thus a symbol combination corresponding tothe win is displayed, the game mode corresponding to the symbolcombination is determined to occur. However, the invention is notlimited thereto. For example, when a symbol combination corresponding toa win is stopped, it may be determined whether a game mode (CT gamemode) corresponding to the win (for example, CT) is made to occur. Inother words, when the corresponding win is made, it may be generated acase where a corresponding game mode occurs and a case where acorresponding game mode does not occur. The determination may be carriedout in accordance with a lottery result of the random number, apredetermined condition (which will be described later) and acombination thereof.

In the above embodiments, it has been carried out the distribution toCT1 or CT2 with the internal win of CT and it has been changed theexpected value of the number of games in which the CT game mode iscontinued. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example,the expected value may be changed, based on the predetermined condition(which will described later), the lottery result of random number, thepush order of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R in the game in which thesymbol combination corresponding to CT is arranged along the activatedline, etc. It may be provided the two or more types of symbol or symbolcombination which provides an occasion for the occurrence of the CT gamemode, and the expected value may be changed, based on the types of thesymbol or symbol combination which provides an occasion for theoccurrence of the CT game mode. In this case, the player can select theexpected value through the push timing of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R,so that the interest in the game is increased.

In the above embodiments, the expected value of the number ofcontinuation games under CT game mode has been made to be different bychanging the selection probability of Small Win of Combined Chili andthe selection probability of Small Win of Upper Chili as the win forreel-stop. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example,since it is set the internal win of RB and SB as the ending condition ofthe CT game mode, the expected value of the number of continuation gamesunder CT game mode may be varied by changing the probability that theinternal win of RB, SB or RB and SB will be determined. The expectedvalue may be varied by changing the internal winning probability of awin different from RB or SB, or changing the probability that apredetermined win except Small Win of Combined Chili and Small Win ofUpper Chili will be selected as a win for reel-stop. Furthermore, it maybe such structured that when a predetermined win is determined as thewin for reel-stop, the CT game mode determining the push order of thestop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R permitting the predetermined win and the CT gamemode permitting the win irrespective of the push order occur, therebyvarying the expected value.

In the above embodiments, the probability that an internal win of Replaywill be determined is set, based on the probability lottery table, inaccordance with the respective game modes. However, it may bearbitrarily set the probability that the internal win of Replay will bedetermined in the respective game modes. For example, in the aboveembodiments, the probability that the internal win of Replay will bedetermined in the RB game mode under BB game mode is higher than theprobability that the internal win of Replay will be determined in thebase game mode. However, the former may be lower than the latter.

In the above embodiments, the probability lottery table has been set sothat the internal win of CT is not determined in the CT game mode (seeFIG. 7B). However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example,the probability lottery table may be set so that the internal win of CTis determined in the CT game mode. In this case, when the internal winof CT is determined in the CT game mode, the game mode may be shifted tothe CT carryover mode from the CT game mode or the CT game mode may becontinued. When the CT game mode is continued, it is preferably to resetthe information (for example, information of the acquired number) ofwhether the ending condition of the CT game mode is established or notinto an initial state (i.e., a state at the time when a win of CT ismade). The probability lottery table may be set so that the internal winof CT is determined in the CT game mode, and it may be set the internalwin of CT or a selection of CT as a win for reel-stop, as the endingcondition of the CT game mode. The probability lottery table may be setso that the internal win of BB is determined in the BB game mode, and itmay be carried out the same control as in the CT game mode.

It may be changed the occurrence probabilities, the endingprobabilities, the occurrence conditions and the ending conditions ofthe RB game mode under base game mode, the BB game mode, the RB gamemode under BB game mode, the CT game mode, the CG mode under CT gamemode and the SCG mode depending on the setting values set by a gamearcade or the setting values and the predetermined conditions (whichwill be described later). As the occurrence probability and the endingprobability, it may be adopted values calculated in consideration of theprobabilities that the various conditions related to the occurrenceconditions or ending conditions will be fulfilled. Since the occurrenceconditions or ending conditions of at least two of the game modes in atleast any two setting values can be made to be different, the player canperceive, predict or narrow the settings, so that the interest in thegame is increased.

The ending conditions of the BB game mode, the CT game mode, the highprobability state of CG occurrence, and the CG mode (hereinafter, theywill be collectively referred to as “special game mode”) are not limitedto the conditions described in the above embodiments, and may bedetermined on the basis of a predetermined condition. As thepredetermined condition, it may be adopted a result of lottery which iscarried out in the respective games or predetermined game under specialgame mode after the special game mode is started, the number cases wherea specific win or any one of wins is made in the specific section, thetime in the specific section (elapsed time), the number of cases whereone or more specific wins are determined as an internal win in thespecific section, the number of cases where a specific win is determinedas a win for reel-stop, or the like.

As the above specific section, it may be adopted a section from afterthis special game mode is started until the present, a section of thespecific game mode in the previous game, a section from after thespecific game mode of the previous game is ended until a currentspecific game mode is started, a game section from after the power issupplied to the gaming machine 1 until the current, sections of the gamemodes occurring after the supply of power, sections of the predeterminednumber of games before this special game mode occurs, etc.

As the above predetermined condition in the special game mode, it may beadopted a condition related to time, a condition related to an internalwin of a specific win, a condition related to a stop mode of symbols inthe display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, a condition related to the number ofgames after the special game mode is started, etc. It may be suchstructured that when the player completes a preset game condition(so-called “mission”), the special game mode is continued, otherwise thespecial game mode is ended while considering a predetermined conditionas fulfilled.

As the predetermined condition in the special game mode, it may beadopted the total number of sliding symbols of one or more reels in apredetermined section, the total time from after the stop operation iscarried out until the reel is stopped, a pay line along which a symbolcombination representing a win in a specific game (for example, a branchgame of whether the special game mode is over or not) is arranged, acondition (for example, the acquired number, the net increased number,the payout number, etc.) depending on at least one of the game value betper a game by the player in the specific section and the game value paidout to the player, etc.

It may be provided two or more symbol combinations representing a win ofCT and the ending condition of the CT game mode may be made to bedifferent depending on a symbol combination which provides an occasionfor the CT game mode. Two or more ending conditions may be provided andthe selection probabilities of the respective ending conditions may bechanged depending on the symbol combinations. It may be adopted a win inan ending lottery of the CT game mode which is carried out in each gameor predetermined game (for example, a game in which Replay is theinternal win), as the ending condition of the CT game mode. The CT gamemode may be divided into a first probability state having a firstprobability that it will be won in the ending lottery and a secondprobability state having a second probability higher that the firstprobability and the probability states may be shifted. It may be adopteda condition related to a mode of stop control for stop-controlling thevariable display of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, as the predeterminedcondition. As the mode of stop control, it may be adopted a mode of stopcontrol for distributing whether or not an achievement of a win forreel-stop in a push order of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R, a mode of apriority ranking of the number of sliding symbols when selecting thenumber of sliding symbols when a symbol combination corresponding to awin for reel-stop is stopped along the activated line, a mode regardingthe selection of the pay lines stopping a symbol combinationcorresponding to a win for reel-stop, etc.

With regard to a condition of a specific type (conditions about theacquired number, the payout number, the net increased number, etc.), oneof the stages (200 pieces, 300 pieces, 400 pieces, etc.) may bedetermined by the lottery, etc. as the ending or continuation conditionof the special game mode. It may be adopted a condition of a probabilitythat it will be won in the ending lottery of the special game mode, asthe condition of the specific type, and “ 1/10”, “ 1/100”, “ 1/500” andthe like may be adopted as the stages. A condition of time after thespecial game mode is started may be adopted as the condition of thespecific type, and “10 seconds”, “30 seconds”, “50 seconds” and the likemay be adopted as the stages.

It may be adopted the conditions of the number of unit games in which apredetermined win is made after the special game mode is started, thenumber of games in which any types of win is not made and the number ofgames in which a predetermined win is determined as an internal win, asthe specific condition, and “10 times”, “30 times”, “50 times” and thelike may be adopted as the stages. It may be adopted the total number ofsliding symbols of one or more reels after the special game mode isstarted as the specific condition, and “30 symbols”, “50 symbols”, “70symbols” and the like may be adopted as the stages. Further, it may beadopted the total sliding time of one or more reels after the specialgame mode is started (i.e., the summation of the time from after thestop buttons are pushed until the reels are stopped), as the conditionof specific type, and “1 second”, “3 seconds”, “5 seconds” and the likemay be adopted as the stages.

One or more conditions may be adopted as the specific condition, thepredetermined condition, the ending condition, the occurrence condition,the condition, the game condition or the continuation condition. As thespecific condition, the predetermined condition, the ending condition,the occurrence condition, the condition, the game condition or thecontinuation condition, it may be adopted that a symbol or symbolcombination corresponding to “0 piece win” should be stopped in thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, 4R along the pay line (activated line). The “0piece win” is such a win that a payout is not awarded to the player eventhough the corresponding symbol or symbol combination is stopped alongthe activated line.

In the above embodiments, the BB game mode consists of the BB base gamemode and the RB game mode. However, the invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the BB game mode may consist of the BB base gamemode, the RB game mode and the CT game mode. In the above embodiments,the maximum number of sliding symbols of the reels 3L, 3C, 3Rcorresponding to the second and third stop operations has been set to be“1”. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, themaximum number of sliding symbols of at least one of “the reel 3L, 3C,3R”, “all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R” and “the specific reel 3L, 3C, 3R”corresponding to the first stop operation may be set to be “1”. Themaximum number of sliding symbols has only to be different between theCG and SCG modes and the game modes except them and is not limited to “4symbols”, “2 symbols” and the like. A probability that an internal winof a re-game will be determined has only to be higher in thepredetermined number of games than in other games, because thepredetermined game result is obtained after the special game mode isover and then the specific symbol is stopped.

SCT and Replay may be made with the same flag in the CG mode, forexample group win. The probability lottery table for CT base game modemay be changed into the followings in FIG. 7B: “win: SCT—winningprobability: 16384/16384”, “win: losing—winning probability: 1/16384”.The probability lottery table for CT base game mode may be changed intothe followings in FIG. 7B: “win: CT group win—winning probability:16383/16384”, “win: losing—winning probability: 1/16384”.

The relationship between the internal win, the win for reel-stop and theselection probability in the CT game mode may be made as follows:“internal win: SCT-win for reel-stop: SCT and all Small Win-selectionprobability: 128/128”, “internal win: Replay-win for reel-stop:Replay-selection probability: 128/128”, “internal win: losing-win forreel-stop: all Small Win-selection probability: 128/128”. The CT groupwin represents SCT and Replay. When the CT group win is determined inthe probability lottery process, SCT and Replay are determined as aninternal win in the game. In this case, SCT, all Small Win and Replayare selected as a win for reel-stop. Accordingly, a win which ispossible to be made in the game by the player is one of “SCT”, “SCT andReplay”, “SCT and predetermined Small Win”, “Replay”, “Replay andpredetermined Small Win” and “predetermined Small Win”.

When “SCT and Replay” is determined, specifically, when the symbol codes16 to 18, i.e., Replay, Bell and Replay are respectively stopped in theupper, central and lower areas of the left reel 3L, the symbol codes 16to 18, i.e., Chili, Replay and Bell are respectively stopped in theupper, central and lower areas of the center reel 3C, and the symbolcodes 15 to 17, i.e., Replay, Watermelon and Bell are respectivelystopped in the upper, central and lower areas of the right reel 3Rthrough the manipulation of the player with the 3 game medals being betand the activated lines being made to be 5, “Replay-Replay-Replay” and“Replay-Replay-Bell” are displayed along the cross-up line 8 a and thecross-down line 8 e, respectively.

As a consequence, 15 game medals are paid out in accordance with the winof SCT and a next game will become the CG game mode while being in are-game allowing a game to be played without the insertion of the gamemedal. In other words, in a first game (CT start+0) after the CT gamemode is started, when the player inserts the 3 game medals to start agame, an internal win of SCT is determined in a high probability, andwhen the player stops the reels at the predetermined positions, the 15game medals are paid out and a next game (CT start+1) will be under CGmode. Likewise, when the player inserts the 3 game medals to start agame, an internal win of SCT and Replay is determined in a highprobability, and when the player stops the reels at the above positions,the 15 game medals are paid out and a next game (CT start+2) will becomea re-game and the CG mode.

Next, in a next game (CT start+3), the game can be started without theinsertion of game medal and the internal win of SCT and Replay isdetermined in the high probability. When the reels are stopped at theabove positions, the 15 game medals are paid out and a next game willbecome a re-game mode and a CG mode. Accordingly, if the operation ofthe player is precise, the player can be provided with the payout ofgame medal (in this case, 15 pieces) resulting from the win of SCT everygame until the ST game mode is ended, just by betting 6 game medalsafter the CT game is started. As in this example, if SCT and Replay aremade to be Group win during the CG and SCG modes, a new gamecharacteristic can be created which is provided to the player.

In the CT game mode, a next unit game may be made into the CG mode, oncondition that Replay is determined by lottery, for example as aninternal win, or that Replay is actually made. When SCT is determined bylottery as an internal win but is not actually made in a predeterminedunit game, the corresponding unit game may be made to be under CG modeor a unit game after one or more times may be made to be under CG mode.Also in this case, it is possible to generate the CG mode consisting ofunit games which are continuously played.

In other words, as described above, when SCT is determined by lottery asan internal win, if a next unit game is made to be under CG modeirrespective of a win actually made in the unit game, even though a winof SCT is made and even though a symbol combination not representing thewin of SCT is stopped as a game result (for example, stop mode of thereels 3L, 3C, 3R), the next unit game becomes under CG mode.

In a unit game in which SCT and Replay are determined by lottery as aninternal win, when a symbol combination representing a win of bothReplay and SCT (or predetermined Small Win) is stopped as a game result,a prize medium (for example, medal) corresponding to SCT (orpredetermined Small Win) is paid out and at the same time a next unitgame is under CG mode (for example, SCG mode) and re-game mode in whicha unit game is started without the game medal. In other words, theplayer can play a unit game of the CG mode without inserting a gamemedal.

A symbol combination corresponding to a win of SCT may be stopped as agame result. When only a symbol combination corresponding to a win ofReplay is stopped, a prize medium is not paid out, but a next unit gameis under CG mode and re-game mode in which a unit game is startedwithout the game medal. Further, when a symbol combination representingthat all of SCT, Replay and Small Win are not made is stopped as a gameresult in a unit game in which SCT is determined by lottery as aninternal win, a prize medium is not paid out but a next unit game isunder CG mode. Also in this case, the gaming machine has a new gamecharacteristic, thereby increasing an interest in a game.

RB and Small Win of JAC may be made with same flag in RB under BB (RBgame mode under BB game mode). A specific start condition for generatingthe RB game mode under BB game mode is such that the “RB game modeshould be ended”. The probability lottery table for BB base game modemay be changed into FIG. 8B and a following probability lottery tablemay be used: “win: RB—winning probability: 16383/16384”, “win:losing—winning probability: 1/16384”. The probability lottery table forRB game mode under BB game mode may be changed into FIG. 9B and afollowing probability lottery table may be used: “win: RB groupwin—winning probability: 16383/16384”, “win: losing—winning probability:1/16384”.

However, in the RB game mode under BB game mode (RB carryover mode underBB), a following probability lottery table may be used: “win: Small Winof JAC—winning probability: 16383/16384”, “win: losing—winningprobability: 1/16384”. The RB group win represents RB and Small Win ofJAC. When the RB group win is determined as an internal win in theprobability lottery process, RB and Small Win of JAC become an internalwin in the game. In such case, RB and Small Win of JAC are selected as awin for reel-stop. Accordingly, a win having a possibility that will bemade in the game is one of RB and Small Win of JAC. When Small Win ofJAC is made, RB becomes an internal carryover win and is being carriedover under the BB game mode.

Specifically, if an internal win of RB is determined in a highprobability and the reels are stopped at predetermined positions in afirst game (BB start+0) after BB is started, 15 game medals are paid outand the RB game mode is started from a next game (BB start+1, RBstart+0). When the player inserts one game medal to start a game, aninternal win of RB and Small Win of JAC are determined in a highprobability, and when the reels are stopped at predetermined positionsenabling a win of Small Win of JAC to be made, 15 game medals are paidout and it becomes the RB carryover mode under BB from a next game (BBstart+2, RB start+1). In the next game (BB start+2, RB start+1) game, aninternal win of Small Win of JAC is determined in a high probability and15 game medals are paid out when the reels are stopped at thepredetermined positions. After that, when a predetermined RB endingcondition is fulfilled, the RB game mode occurs immediately, because thespecific start condition generating the RB game mode under BB game modeis satisfied.

In the above embodiments, when the RB game mode under BB game modeoccurs once, it is possible to generate the RB game mode under BB gamemode in succession. When Small Win of JAC is not determined as the groupwin in the RB game mode under BB game mode, a win of RB is made in aunit game in which RB is determined as an internal win and a new RB isoperated before RB being operated is carried out to the last, so thatthe number of balls to be paid out is smaller, thereby causing theplayer to complain. If the player loses the RB, no win is made in thegame and the number of balls to be paid out per unit time is smaller, sothat the game may be dragged out.

In the above example, if RB and Small Win of JAC are made to be a groupwin in the RB game mode under BB game mode, a new game characteristiccan be created which is provided to the player. Although it has beendescribed the operation condition of the RB game mode under BB game modeas the ending of the RB game mode under BB game mode being operated, theinvention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be applied theoperation condition of the RB game mode under BB game mode which isseparately described.

In the above embodiments, even under CG mode and under SCG mode,although it has been carried out the lottery for determining whetherSmall Win of Watermelon, Small Win of Bell and Group win is determinedas an internal win, the lottery may not be carried out. In other words,the lottery for at least one of RB, SB, SCT and Replay may be carriedout under CG mode and the lottery for at least one of BB, CT, RB, SB,SCT and Replay may be carried out under SCG mode.

In the above embodiments, although the maximum number of sliding symbolshas been set in the sliding-symbol-number determining process (see stepS24 in FIG. 14), the invention is not limited thereto. For example, atable for stop consisting of values equal to or less than the specificnumber of symbols for CG mode may be selected when a game mode is the CGmode (alternatively, SCG mode), with a table for stop having a symbolposition passing to the predetermined pay line (for example, center line8 c) at the time when the player carries out the stop operation and thepreset number of sliding symbols corresponding to the symbol position. Aparameter for stop used to select the table for stop may be determinedbefore the stop operation of the reel is permitted, and then notified tothe player. By doing so, it is possible to increase an effectiveness ofthe effects.

Even though the game mode is the CG mode (alternatively, SCG mode), itis not limited that the table for stop consisting of values equal to orless than the specific number of symbols is selected for all the reels.For example, when a specific reel (for example, only the left reel 3L,only the reel for which the first stop operation is carried out) isoperated, the table for stop consisting of values equal to or less thanthe specific number of symbols may be selected for only the reel whichis used for the stop control, and when the reel except the specific reelis stop-controlled, the table for stop consisting of values equal to orless than the predetermined number of symbols larger than the specificnumber of symbols may be selected. It may be determined and notified tothe player which of the reels is the specific reel, before the stopoperation is permitted. By doing so, it is possible to notify the playerof the reel which is required for the player to properly operate.

It may be determined which of the reels is the specific reel, after thestop operation for the predetermined reel is carried out. For example,it may be determined with a symbol position passing to a predeterminedpay line (for example, center line 8 c) in the reel for which the firststop operation is carried out at the time when the first stop operationis carried out (for example, when the reel for which the first stopoperation is carried out is the left reel 3L, if a symbol on the centerline 8 c at the time when the first stop operation is carried out isUpper Chili, the left reel 3L is applied as the specific reel.), or witha stop operation order for the reels (for example, in a case ofsequential push operations, the left reel 3L is applied as the specificreel, and in a case of reversed push operations, the right reel 3R andthe center reel 3C are applied as the specific reel). By doing so, thevariations of the reel stop control are expanded, so that it is possibleto increase the game characteristics.

In the sliding-symbol-number determining process (step S24 in FIG. 14),when it is carried out the attraction-in control and escape control forthe reels, the maximum retrieval number may be made to be different inthe CG mode or SCG mode and the other game modes except the CG mode andthe SCG mode. For example, when the attraction-in control is carried outin the CG or SCG mode, if there is a symbol to be attracted-in ahead by1 symbol from a symbol position (when maximum retrieval number is 1symbol) passing to a predetermined pay line (for example, center line 8c) in the reel, the reel may be rotated by 1 symbol and then stopped. Inthe other game mode except the CG mode and the SCG mode, if there aresymbols to be attracted-in within 4 symbols from a symbol position (whenmaximum retrieval number is 4 symbols) passing to a predetermined payline (for example, center line 8 c) in the reel for which the stopcontrol is carried out, the reel may be rotated as the number of symbolsand then stopped (for example, if there is a symbol to be attracted-inahead by 3 symbols, the reel may be rotated as the number of 3 symbolsand then stopped).

There are many cases where a symbol corresponding to a win having awinning possibility is mainly applied as the symbol to be attracted-in.For example, when an internal win is Replay and a Replay symbol isdisplayed in the upper area of the reel if 1 symbol is attracted-inlater (in an example of the left reel 3L, when a symbol of the symbolcode 20 is passing to the center line 8 c at the time when the stopoperation is carried out), the reel may be rotated as the number of 1symbol and then stopped (regarding the left reel 3L in FIG. 3, thesymbol code 18 is stopped in the upper area of the reel). Since thelarger maximum retrieval number is more advantageous to the player thanthe smaller, the player can play the game with an advantage by notifyingthe player that the specific reel control making the maximum retrievalnumber smaller is carried out for which of the reels, through thenotification described above.

For example, regarding Small Win of Upper Chili in FIG. 5, since thesymbol of Upper Chili is just stopped in the left reel 3L only, if it isnotified, before the stop operation is carried out for all the reels,that the specific reel is the reel for which the first stop operation iscarried out and the reel for which the second stop operation is carriedout, the symbol of Upper Chile can be stopped on the activated line ofthe left reel 3L even though it is allowed the player to carry out thethird stop operation for the left reel 3L and the player does not carryout the stop operation for the left reel 3L at the timing precise asmuch as that by the attraction-in control having the large maximumretrieval number. In a symbol arrangement of FIG. 3, when the maximumretrieval number is 4 symbols, if any one symbol of the symbol codes 07to 13 is passing to the center line 8 c at the time when the playercarries out the stop control for the left reel 3L, it is possible tostop the symbol of Upper Chili (symbol 96) on the activated line of theleft reel 3L.

In the mean time, when the maximum retrieval number is 4 symbols, if anyone symbol of the symbol codes 07 to 09 is passing to the center line 8c at the time when the player carries out the stop control for the leftreel 3L, it is possible to stop the symbol of Upper Chili (symbol 96) onthe activated line of the left reel 3L. Like this, since thenotification of the specific reel also controls the advantage of theplayer, it is possible to increase the interest in the game. In theabove embodiments, the maximum number of sliding symbols has been set tobe “1” in the CG or SCG mode and “4” in the CG and SCG modes. However,the invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be preferredthat “0” is applied in the CG or SCG mode. In other words, when a symbolon a reel is passing to a position out of the pay line, when the playercarries out the stop control for the reel, the reel may be rotated to aposition at which the symbol on the reel is displayed along the pay lineand then stopped. In such case, the reel is stopped only by the stopoperation of the player, so that it is possible to increase the skillintervention ability of the player and to further provide thesatisfaction to the player, regarding the stop of the reel.

A win which is not matched to the win for determination is permitted inthe CG mode, the SCG mode, etc. It may be provided a win determiningunit for determining a predetermined win as, for example, a win fordetermination, based on the detection of the game start command signaloutputted from the game start unit, and the stop control unit can stop asymbol combination not conforming to the determined win (for example,“Bell-Bell-Bell” when the determined win is Replay) on the variabledisplay unit in a predetermined game mode (for example, CG mode or SCGmode), allows a game value corresponding to the win stopped on thevariable display unit to be paid out to the player (for example, allowsthe payout of a prize medium corresponding to Small Win of Bell), andstops only a symbol combination conforming to the determined win (forexample, “Bell-Bell-Bell” when Small Win of Bell is determined) on thevariable display unit in the game modes (for example, CG mode and SCGmode) except the predetermined game mode. In other words, it is possibleto stop a symbol combination (for example, “Bell-Bell-Bell”) notconforming to the determined win (for example, Losing) on the variabledisplay unit in the predetermined game mode and there is no case where awin of bonus, Small Win, Replay, etc is made when the determined win isLosing, in the game modes except the predetermined game mode.

In the CT game mode, the CG mode, etc. may be generated from a game inwhich SCT is not determined as a win for determination, or a next gamethereof. In the BB game mode, the CG mode, etc. may be generated from agame in which SCT is not determined as a win for determination, or anext game thereof.

Also in CT and SCT, in the BB game mode, the RB game mode may begenerated only when the win for determination includes RB, even thoughthe symbols or symbol combination corresponding to RB is not displayedall together. A win corresponding to the internal win may be a win fordetermination and the win for reel-stop may be just a parameter for stopcontrol.

In the above embodiments, the random number has been sampled, based onthe start operation of the start lever 6, and the internal win and thewin for reel-stop have been determined, based on the probabilitylottery.

The shift of the predetermined game mode is not limited to before thestart operation or after the winning retrieval. For example, the shiftmay be carried out between the probability lottery and the reel rotationstart, during a period of from the stop operation for a predeterminedreel to the stop of the corresponding reel, and during a period of fromthe stop of the predetermined reel to a stop operation for a next reel.

In the above embodiments, it has been carried out the distribution ofSmall Win in the win for reel-stop. However, the invention is notlimited thereto. For example, when that the win for reel-stop is SmallWin, such as Small Win of Upper Chili, all Small Win may be set as thewin for reel-stop. It may be also the same for bonus, Replay, etc. Theattraction-in control may be carried out within a range of 4 symbols or1 symbol in the CG or SCG mode, for the reel corresponding to the thirdstop operation.

In the CG mode and the SCG mode, it is provided a range of random numberwhich will be won in Small Win in the probability lottery table and alottery of Small Win is carried out. However, the invention is notlimited thereto. For example, the stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, 3Rmay be carried out in accordance with only the push timing of the stopbuttons 7L, 7C, 7R by the player, without the lottery of Small Win. Theprobability lottery table in the CG mode and the SCG mode may bestructured so that an internal win of one of Losing, Replay and Bonus isdetermined and an internal win of Small Win is not determined.

It may be adopted a predetermined condition, as the occurrenceconditions of the RB game mode under BB game mode or RB game mode andthe CG game mode. As the predetermined condition, it may be adopted theconditions such that the BB game mode should be started, the RB gamemode should be started, a unit game should be started (i.e., each unitgame should become the RB game mode or CG mode), the predeterminednumber of unit games should be ended, the game mode (for example, thesupervisory result of the gaming status supervisory process in the stepS11 of FIG. 13) should be a predetermined game mode, a predeterminedprocessing result in the unit game should be a specific result and acombination of at least two thereof.

As the predetermined processing result, it may be adopted a result thatany one of the specific wins (for example, SB, RB, SCT, Bonus, Replay,Small Win) is determined as an internal win in the internal windetermination of the probability lottery process in the step S12 of FIG.13, a result that a parameter for stop-control (for example, a parameterof the win for reel-stop used to stop-control the reels, such as adetermination result for the win for reel-stop in the step S13 of FIG.13, a selection result in the stop table selecting process of the stepS14 in FIG. 13, etc.) becomes a predetermined value, a result (forexample, a result of whether a win is made or not) of a predeterminedrandom number lottery used to determine an internal win (for example,win for reel-stop) or a result of a predetermined random number lotterynot used for the determination.

As the predetermined condition, it may be adopted a condition related tothe game history, and a condition of including a predetermined gamehistory (for example, game result) in the game history. For example, theRB game mode or CG mode may be generated, based on the game mode in apast unit game (previous unit game, unit game before the predeterminednumber of times, unit games before the predetermined number of times,etc.), the game result, the internal win, the win for reel-stop, the winfor determination, the win actually made, the combination of symbols in,for example, the display window 4L, 4C, 4R.

The RB game mode or CG mode may be generated, based on the stopping of apredetermined symbol arranged on a predetermined reel when thepredetermined reel is stopped in a unit game and the stopping of apredetermined symbol combination when the reels are stopped in a unitgame. The RB gaming stat or CG mode may be generated when apredetermined game mode (RB game mode, CG mode, etc.) is ended. The RBgame mode or CG mode may be generated when a specific win is determinedas an internal win and a symbol combination corresponding to theinternal win or a symbol combination not corresponding to the internalwin is stopped.

The RB game mode or CG mode may be generated when a predetermined gameoperation by the player (for example, stop operation for the reels inaccordance with the specific order, operation timing of the start lever6 or stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R, etc.) is a specific game operation, andwhen the insertion number of game medals inserted by the player (forexample, the total insertion number), the payout number of game medalspaid out to the player (for example, the total payout number), apredetermined calculation result (for example, a result obtained bysubtracting the total insertion number from the total payout number)based on the insertion number (for example, the total) and the payoutnumber (for example, the total), etc. are a result representing aspecific number or a specific calculation result, etc.

The RB game mode or CG mode may be generated when at least one of theabove predetermined conditions is fulfilled or at least one of the abovepredetermined conditions is fulfilled by the predetermined number oftimes (for example, the condition is fulfilled by the predeterminednumber of times in succession, the condition is fulfilled in thesuccessive predetermined number of unit games) after one of more of theabove predetermined conditions are fulfilled. A combination of at leasttwo of the conditions may be adopted as the predetermined condition.

The above condition is not limited to the condition fulfilled in the BBgame mode or CT game mode. For example, it may be adopted a conditionwhich is fulfilled before the BB game mode or CT game mode occurs, acondition which is fulfilled in the previous BB game mode or CT gamemode, a condition which is fulfilled in a unit game extending from afterthe previous BB game mode or CT game mode is over to this BB game modeor CT game mode, etc. In other words, it may be determined whether thepredetermined condition is fulfilled in relation with the current orpast game history.

The occurrence timing of the RB game mode or CG mode in the unit game isnot limited to the timing described in the above embodiments. Forexample, it may be adopted a timing before the detection of the gamemedal insertion by the player, a timing from after the game medalinsertion is detected until the game start operation by the player isdetected, a timing from after the game start operation is detected untilthe rotation start control for the reels is carried out, a timing fromafter the rotation start control for the reels is detected until thestop operation for a predetermined reel by the player is detected, atiming from after the stop operation for a predetermined reel by theplayer is detected until the predetermined reel is stopped, a timingfrom after all the reels are stopped until the payout of the prizemedium (for example, medal) is completed, a timing from after the payoutof the prize medium is completed in the previous unit game until theinsertion of a next game medal is detected, etc.

As the conditions of the change (for example, shift to the RT game mode)of the probability that Replay will be determined as an internal win inthe probability lottery process of the step S12 in FIG. 13, and thestart or ending of the BB game mode, the RB game mode, the CT game mode,etc., it may be adopted the occurrence condition (predeterminedcondition) of the RB game mode under BB game mode or CT game mode, andthe CG game mode.

The gaming machine 1 of the above embodiments has the followingstructures. In other words,

(1) The gaming machine has the game start command unit (for example,start lever 6, start switch 6S, etc.) for outputting the game startcommand signal in accordance with the operation of the player; theinternal win determining unit (for example, main control circuit 71, theunit for carrying out the processes in the step S12 and S13 of FIG. 13,etc.) for determining a win (for example, internal win, win forreel-stop, win for determination, etc.), based on the detection of thegame start command signal outputted from the game start command unit;the variable display unit (for example, reels 3L, 3C, 3R, etc.) forvariably displaying the identification information pieces (for example,symbols shown in FIG. 3) necessary for the game, based on the detectionof the game start command signal outputted from the game start commandunit; the stop command unit (for example, stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R, reelstop signal circuit 46, etc.) for outputting the stop command signal inaccordance with the operation of the player; the stop control unit (forexample, main control circuit 71, the unit for carrying out theprocesses in the step S24 and S25 of FIG. 14, etc.) for stopping thevariable display of the identification information, based on the windetermined by the internal win determining unit and the detection of thestop command signal outputted from the stop command unit; the game valuepaying out unit (for example, main control circuit 71, a unit forcarrying out the step S31 in FIG. 15, hopper 40, etc.) for paying outthe game value (for example, medal, the occurrence of game modeadvantageous to the player, payout of the prize medium, operation of there-game, etc.) to the player when the stop mode (for example, symbolcombination displayed in the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, etc.) of thevariable display unit stopped by the stop control unit is thepredetermined win (for example, symbol combination corresponding to thewin shown in FIG. 5 or 6, etc.); the start delay control unit (forexample, main control circuit 71, a unit for carrying out thedeterminations in the steps S17 and S18 of FIG. 14 and the step S19,etc.) for delaying (for example, deferring the operation for stoppingthe variable display, such as deferring (carryover, deferring thereception, etc.) the insertion operation of game medium, etc.) the startof the unit game (for example, one game); the game section shifting unit(for example, main control circuit 71, a unit for carrying out the shiftbased on the determination in the step S17, etc.) for shifting the gamesection (for example, unit game, game sections divided by the unit time,etc., game sections having different control conditions, and the like)between the first game section, in which the delayed degree (forexample, delayed time, maximum delayed time, etc.) of the start of theunit game is the first degree (for example, the delayed time is maximum4.1 seconds, etc.), and the second game section, in which the delayeddegree of the start of the unit game is the second degree (for example,maximum delayed time is 0 second, etc.) smaller than the first degree;and the notification unit (for example, delay cancellation game-numberdisplay unit 19, etc.) for notifying the game progress information (forexample, information representing the game progress based on thepredetermined standard (the number of times, etc.), the number of gamesin which the delay cancellation section is continued, etc.) in at leastone of the first and second game sections.

According to the above gaming machine, the notification unit notifiesthe game progress information in at least one of the first and secondgame sections. The player can make progress the game while perceivingthe game progress information in each of the game sections having thedifferent delayed degrees.

(2) In the gaming machine defined in (1), the notification unit notifiesthe game progress information in the second game section.

According to the above gaming machine, the notification unit notifiesthe game progress information in the second game section. The secondgame section has the delayed degree of the start of the unit gamesmaller than the first game section. Accordingly, the second gamesection is an advantageous section to the player in which the player canmake progress the game more smoothly, as compared to the first gamesection. Since the game progress information is notified in suchadvantageous section, the player can play the game without thedisadvantage such as the stopping of the game during the second gamesection.

(3) The gaming machine defined in (1) or (2) has a probability stateshifting unit (for example, main control circuit 71, a unit for carryingout the processes in the step S33 and the step S45 of FIG. 15, etc.) forshifting the probability state between a first probability state (forexample, base game mode, etc.) having a first probability which is aprobability that the internal win determining unit will determine aspecific win (for example, Replay, etc.) as an internal win and a secondprobability state (for example, RT game mode, etc.) having a secondprobability higher than the first probability, which is a probabilitythat the internal win determining unit will determine the specific win(for example, Replay, etc.) as an internal win, and the probabilitystate is the second probability state when the game section is thesecond game section.

According to the above gaming machine, when the game section is thesecond game section, the probability state is the second probabilitysection. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the interest in thegame by making the advantageous degree of the second game section higherthan the first game section.

(4) In the gaming machine defined in (3), when the stop control unitstops a specific symbol combination corresponding to the specific win, anext unit game is started irrespective of the insertion of game medium.

According to the gamine machine, when the specific symbol combinationcorresponding to the specific win is displayed, a next unit game isstarted irrespective of the insertion of game medium. Accordingly, it ispossible for the player to play the game in the second game sectionwithout inciting the passion for gambling.

(5) In the gaming machine defined in one of (1) to (4), the gameprogress information has the information about the number of unit gamesin the game sections.

According to the above gaming machine, since it has the informationabout the number of unit games in the game sections, the player can makeprogress the game while paying attention to the notification contents ofthe notification unit.

In the above embodiments, the start delay control unit delays the startof the variable display of the variable display unit to delay the startof the unit game. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, the start time of the period during which the push of the stopbuttons 7L, 7C, 7R is activated may be delayed. By doing so, it ispossible to increase the interest in the game.

In the above embodiments, it has been adopted the information about thenumber of games (the remaining number of games) in which the delaycancellation section is continued, as the game progress information.However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may beadopted the information about the number of games which are carried outin one game section, such as second game section, etc. It may be adoptedthe information about the time, the number of times when a predeterminedwin such as Replay is made, the number of times when an internal win ofa predetermined win is determined, the amount of the game valueacquired, the net increased number of medals, etc., rather than theinformation about the number of games. For example, it may be adoptedthe information of time after the second game section is started. It maybe adopted the above number of times, the time, the amount of gamevalue, etc. required until the second game section is shifted to thefirst game section, as the game progress information.

In the above embodiments, the number of games in which the delaycancellation section is continued has been displayed in a countdownmanner, as the display method of the game progress information. However,the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the number of gameshaving consumed the delay cancellation section may be displayed in acount-up manner. Thereby, it is possible to extend the display methods,thereby increasing the interest in the game.

In the above embodiments, it has been adopted two types of “4.1 seconds”and “0 second” as the maximum delay time. However, the invention is notlimited thereto. For example, it may be adopted the maximum delay time,such as “three types”, “four types” and the like. When the maximum delaytime of “3 types or more” is adopted, the game sections of “3 types ormore” having different maximum delay time may be properly included inone of the first and second game sections.

In the above embodiments, it has been determined whether the start ofthe unit game is delayed (step S17 in FIG. 14), depending on whether thegame mode is the RT game mode or not. However, the invention is notlimited thereto. For example, the game section shifting unit (forexample, main control circuit 71) may carry out the conversion(shifting) of the game sections having the different maximum delay timeand the probability state may be changed depending on the conversion.For example, when the game section shifting unit (for example, maincontrol circuit 71) shifts the game section to the second game section,the probability state shifting unit may shift the probability state tothe second probability state.

In the above embodiments, the delay cancellation game-number displayunit 19 including the 7-segment LED has been adopted as the notificationunit. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other words, itmay be adopted any notification unit providing the notification contentswhich the player can perceive by the senses.

The above gaming machine has the probability state shifting unit (forexample, main control circuit 71, a unit for carrying out the processesin the step S34 of FIG. 15, etc.) for shifting the probability statebetween a first probability state (for example, base game mode, etc.)having a first probability which is a probability that the internal windetermining unit will determine a specific win (for example, Replay,etc.) as an internal win and a second probability state (for example, RTgame mode, etc.) having a second probability higher than the firstprobability, which is a probability that the internal win determiningunit will determine the specific win (for example, Replay, etc.) as aninternal win. However, the invention is not limited the probabilitystate shifting unit (for example, main control circuit 71, a unit forcarrying out the processes in the step S34 of FIG. 15, etc.) forshifting the probability state between a first probability state (forexample, base game mode, etc.) having a first probability which is aprobability that the stop control unit will stop a specific symbolcombination (for example, “Replay-Replay-Repay” corresponding to Replay)and a second probability state (for example, RT game mode, etc.) havinga second probability which is a probability that the stop control unitwill stop the specific symbol combination.

The internal win determining unit and the variable display unit detectthe game start command signals outputted from the game start commandunit to carry out the determination and the variable display,respectively. The “detection of the game start command signal” includesthe detection of the game start command. For example, it may be provideda switch (game start command unit) which is ON when the start lever 6 isnot manipulated and OFF when it is manipulated. The determination andthe variable display may be carried out when it is detected that theswitch is OFF.

The variable display unit detects the game start command signaloutputted from the game start command unit to variably display theidentification information pieces necessary for the game. However, theinvention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be provided a unitsuch as the main control circuit 71 for commanding the start of thevariable display when it is detected the game start command signaloutputted from the game start command unit. The variable display unitmay detect the variable display start command signal outputted from theunit for commanding the start of the variable display, thereby variablydisplaying the identification information pieces.

It may be provided a notification controller such as the main controlcircuit 71 and the sub-control circuit 72, for determining whether thegame progress information is notified in at lest one of the first andsecond game sections. The notification unit may notify the information,based on a result determined by of the notification control unit.

As the ending condition of the RT game mode or delay cancellationsection, it may be adopted the start condition, the ending condition,the predetermined condition as described above. For example, as theending condition of the RT game mode or delay cancellation section, itmay be adopted that a specific win (for example, BB, RB, bonus) isdetermined as an internal win or actually made, and the like. By doingso, it is possible to increase the interest in the game.

The game section of the RT game mode and the delay cancellation sectionmay be not completely matched to each other. For example, a part of thegame section of the RT game mode (for example, 10 times of 100 games)may consist of the delay cancellation section. In the RT gaming, theoccurrence probability of delay cancellation section may be made to behigher in the other game modes. By doing so, it is possible to increasethe interest in the game.

The game section shifting unit may carry out the shifting of gamesection, based on a predetermined condition. In this case, thepredetermined condition affects the ending condition (shiftingcondition) of the second game section. As the predetermined condition,it may be adopted that a predetermined game value which is paid out tothe player by the game value paying out unit in a predetermined gamesection (second game section, etc.) reaches the predetermined number. Itmay be adopted that it is carried out a random number lottery fordetermining whether the gaming section is shifted to the first gamesection from the second game section and then it is determined to shiftthe game section to the second game section from the first game sectionby the random number lottery. It may be adopted that it is counted thenumber of cases where the stop mode of the variable display stopped bythe stop control unit from the starting of the second game sectionbecomes the symbol combination corresponding to a win and the countednumber of cases reaches the predetermined number of times. It may beadopted that it is measured the time from the starting of the secondgame section and the measured time reaches predetermined time. It may beadopted that it is counted the number of cases where an internal win isdetermined by the probability lottery process from the starting of thesecond game section, and the counted number of cases reaches thepredetermined number of times. It may be adopted that it is counted thenumber of cases where the stop mode of the variable display unit stoppedby the stop control unit from the starting of the second game section isnot the winning symbol combination and the counted number of casesreaches the predetermined number of times. It may be adopted that itbecomes predetermined time. Additionally, it may be adopted that thestop mode of the variable display unit stopped by the stop control unitin the second game section becomes a specific stop mode. Furthermore, itmay be adopted that the number of unit games is counted from thestarting of the second game section and the counted number of unit gamesreaches the predetermined number of times. It may be adopted that aspecific internal win is determined by the probability lottery processwithin the specific number of games from the starting of the second gamesection. Further, it may be adopted an index reflecting the gameoperation-related skill of the player, for example a movement amount(for example, the number of sliding symbols) of the identificationinformation from after the stop control unit carries out a predeterminedinitial stop control (for example, control for stopping the reels 3L,3C, 3R corresponding to the pushed stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R) until thevariable display is stopped. It may be adopted that a difference betweenthe game value used for a game from the starting of the second gamesection and the game value paid out to the player by the game valuepaying out unit reaches a predetermined value. Additionally, it may beadopted a pay line corresponding to a position at which the stop controlunit stops the identification information variably displayed by thevariable display unit, or a pay line along which the identificationinformation constituting a predetermined winning combination isarranged. By adopting the above various conditions, it is possible toincrease the diversity of game and thus to provide an interesting gamingmachine.

The invention can be applied to another gaming machine such as pachinkogaming machine, pachi-slot and the like, in addition to the gamingmachine 1 of the above embodiments. The invention can be applied to agame program which pseudo-executes the operations in the gaming machine1 described above as a home gaming machine. In this case, a medium forrecording the game program may include a CD-ROM, FD (flexible disk) andthe other recording media.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as setforth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the following claims.

1. A gaming machine comprising: a display device for variably displayinga plurality of symbols; a start signal output device for outputting acommand signal to start a unit game, based on an operation of a player;a stop signal output device for outputting a command signal to stop thevariable display of the symbols in the display device, based on anoperation of the player; a first information transfer device fortransferring information to the player; a second information transferdevice for transferring information to the player and different from thefirst information transfer device; a first control circuit board; and asecond control circuit board different from the first control circuitboard, wherein the first control circuit board comprises: an internalwin determining unit for determining an internal win every unit game onthe basis of the signal outputted by the start signal output device; aunit for starting the variable display of the symbols by the displaydevice, based on the signal outputted by the start signal output device;a stop control unit for stop-controlling the variable display of thesymbols by the display device, based on the signal outputted by the stopsignal output device and the internal win determined by the internal windetermining unit; a first information transfer control unit forcontrolling the first information transfer device, based on informationabout a game; and an information transmit unit for transmitting theinformation about a game to the second control circuit board, andwherein the second control circuit board comprises a second informationtransfer control unit for controlling the second information transferdevice, based on the information about a game transmitted by theinformation transmit unit.
 2. A gaming machine comprising: a displaydevice for variably displaying a plurality of symbols; a start signaloutput device for outputting a command signal to start a unit game basedon an operation of a player; a stop signal output device for outputtinga command signal to stop the variable display of the symbols in thedisplay device, based on an operation of the player; a first informationtransfer device for transferring information to the player; a secondinformation transfer device for transferring information to the playerand different from the first information transfer device; a firstcontrol circuit board; and a second control circuit board different fromthe first control circuit board, wherein the first control circuit boardcomprises: an internal win determining unit for determining an internalwin every unit game on the basis of the signal outputted by the startsignal output device; a unit for starting the variable display of thesymbols by the display device, based on the signal outputted by thestart signal output device; a stop control unit for stop-controlling thevariable display of the symbols by the display device, based on thesignal outputted by the stop signal output device and the internal windetermined by the internal win determining unit; a transfer modedetermining unit for determining a transfer mode of information about agame; a first information transfer control unit for controlling thefirst information transfer device, based on a result determined by thetransfer mode determining unit; and an information transmit unit fortransmitting the result determined by the transfer mode determining unitto the second control circuit board, and wherein the second controlcircuit board comprises a second information transfer control unit forcontrolling the second information transfer device, based on the resultdetermined by the transfer mode determining unit and transmitted by theinformation transmit unit.
 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1,wherein the information about game is the internal win determined by theinternal win determining unit.